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HARRY f * I-100HE, ET AL

P*3

CIVIL RIGHTS

Ons copy of the report of Special Agent

dated March 2li, 195>2, at Miami is attached.

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Reference is leads to the report of Special Agent |

I dated January 28, 19,!>2, at Miami, beginning on, Page 99 which
reflects information concerning, Simon Smith Manning* a close associate -
of suspect Bari Brooklyn* You will. not© that Manning wes employed at
the Orlando Air Force Base, Orlando, Florida, in which connection ho
executed Form Mo, *»? (application for Federal omploymant-appointment •
affidavit) on January 3# 19i>l j at which, time he Claims he had never
been convicted of a crime , a penalty of which was ip 'excess of a.
twenty-five dollar fine or belonged to any organic ail on which advocated
the overthrow of the tf* S. Government and/or 11 was seeking by fore© and
violence to deny other persons their rights undef> tie .Constitution of
the United- States * H • . - ' .

" ,A. • 0 #2$,

In a signed statement set 'forth on Page 8? of ; the attached
report. Manning admits a conviction for grand larceny and membership '
in the Ku Klux Klan,. It is revues ted that you, advise whether Manning.-''"
has violated Section 80,. Title 18 , U «, S* Code, in chat hfe has made^
false statements in his application for employment and if he had, the
action you contemplate taking in this regard,

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Investigation in this case, has developfa & number of Ku Klux
Klan members as logical suspects and - considerable inquiries are being

made in regard to ■Elan activities in the Orlandci Florida area. There s

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made in regard to. Elan activities in the Orlande, Florida area*. There are
indications that other Klan members may possibl/ have violated Section
80, Title l8.ua did Manning* In the event you are of the opinion prose-
cution of Manning and others may be entertained, additional investigation
along these* linos will be conducted to develop; other similar violations
by Klan members, • ' , -

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FEDERAL BUREAU OF EWESWGATION

FD-72

(1-10-49)

THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT

MIAMI

FILE NO. £

REPORT MADE AT

MIAMI

TITLE

^PERIOD FOR WHICH MADE

■5 *fco 3-21-52

« *

HARRIETT'

SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:

SUBJECTS; HARRY T
MOORE ' ( deceased.)

VICTIMS

CHARACTER OF CASE

CIVIL RIGHTS

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Further interviews of informant, fellow*-.
Klansmen and relative of suspect BROOKLYN
has disclosed little or no additional in-
formation of value. Investigation at all
motels, hotels and trailer camps in vicinity
of Mims, Fla. disclosed no information as to
■any suspicious individuals being there at
Christmas or period immediately preceding.
Inquiries, Titusville Airport, disclosed
no planes landed there Christmas Day, although
one light-type plane carrying two unidentified
men landed at Allenhurst, 20 miles northeast
of Mims, on 12-25-51, at approximately 1:00
P.M. and departed 2:00 P.M. On 2-6-50,

LUTHER COLEMAN, negro janitor. Winter Garden,
Florida, forcibly taken from bank entrance
to parked car by ‘white men and attempt made
,to abduct him. He was beaten and shot fired
at him. ■ Investigation to date has not
identified assailants.

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APPROVED AND
FORWARDED:

PECIAL AGENT
fm CHARGE .

CRT

1 - DBA, Tampa '

2 - Savannah (44-262)

1 . - New York ( 44-180) (info )

3 - Miami (44-270)

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DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES

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PROPERTY OF FBI. — This cnwfidfvntiwl report and its contents are loaned to you by theJFKFand are not
to be distributed outside of agency to which loaned.

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MI 44-270

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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in.

INVESTIGATION REGARDING SUSPECT EARL J. BROOKLYN
INVESTIGATION REGARDING SUSPECT JAMES B. JOHNSON
INVESTIGATION REGARDING SUSPECT E. C. CAMPBELL
INVESTIGATION OF TERRORIST INCIDENTS, ORLANDO AREA
MISCELLANEOUS

3 ~ 37
38 — 40
41-47
48-80

81 - 105

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MM 44-270

I. INVESTIGATION REGARDING SUSPECT EARL

FRANK F,
Florida*

following investigation was conduce
H and JAE4ES P« SHANNON on February

ial Agents
at Apopka,

BASIS: Confidential Informant T-l recontaeted in

order to obta in specific info rmation concerning the
activities of l ~l in sofar as t hey re-
late to the period of time when I I was Exalted

Cyclops and when BILL BOGAR was Exalted Cyclops of
the Association of Georgia Elans, Apopka KLavern. '
information was sought to corroborate the allegation
that EARL J. BROOKLYN exhibited the floor plans of
MOORE’s house after a KLan meeting.

j 3t^

-J/ Confid enti al Informan t T-l, of known reliability, advised that

i Cnot l l as previously reported) first came to the

Apopka' area in the winter of 1946 and 1947, stayed a few months and then
returned north. He brought his trailer with him for permanent residence
in Florida in the winter of 1947 and 194&« I ~1 started building a

home on Rock Springs R oad outs ide Abouka in June or July.- 19 AS. The in-
formant said l I told I np ned l I who was

building his house approached hi d I to .join the* Association of

Georgia Klans KLavern at Apopka. At the time | | Joe *s

Garage and Pilling Staion at Plymouth, Florida, was Exalted Cyclops.

Informant was specifically questioned concerning I

knowledge of the operation of t he to an whil e he was a member, particularly
during that period of time -when I I -was Exalted Cyclops in 1949 and

BUJ^OGAR succeeded Mm in 1950* An effort was made to obtain if pos-
sible ary verification of the allegation that EARjrffeBOOKIZN exhibited the
floor plans of HARRY T. MOORE* s house after an Apopka Association of
Georgia Klans meeting sometime in 1949 or 1950. *

When questioned about the existence Of terrorist activities in
the KLan, T-l commented that there might have been talk before or after
meetings about beatings or "treatments to be administered but certainly

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MM 44-270

no x»ccux iiad during meetings

Exalted Cyclops because those t
mxt such discuss*! ryns *

s while B ILL BOGAR end were

two controlled the meeting and did not per

Ti ? e informant related that a Klansman named| |who was

allegedly from New Jersey or New* York a nd lived o n Altamonte 1 Sp ning p Road
mce threate ned t.n throw a f ire bomb at | I who nailed him down on

ta-s threat.) Insed to hang out with the | 1

.clique., 13 descr ibed as a I I ■who was about | f

I potmds and a | | by trade.

When questioned about the identity of a|

T~1 stated there was a person with a name similar to l ~l wfao ■was

a fisherman near Sahford who was supposed to be a relative of the BROOKIYNs

He suggested! would kno w the relationship of these people.

I is the | | of | [who is I I

or some large company » and lives outside Orlando near the stock market.

Confidential Informant T-l made the following observations con-
cerning persons mentioned:

I | was a member of a KLan in Apopka with him

‘' w0 years but qui^ when he found out he was being used as a tool
members •

| I is the most dangerous man in Apopka and could

ary type of stick-up.

is responsible for the shooting of
irnish information to substantiate •

Informan:

is a

ment and a member of the Apopka man

P. E. J500MIS, underta ker at
of the BROOKLYN boys, EARL and I

There was no particular ill
BOGAR to the informant *s knowledge.

of the Apopka Police Depart

Upter Garden,, is a very good friend

feeling between EARL BROOKLYN and BTT.T.

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The cowboy, CUR3Z BELVIN, was denied admittance to the Apopka
meeting once or twice despite the fact that invariably someone at the meet-
ing vouched for him. He was refused admittance because he did not have
his eard with him.

The informant stated that at one time I fame to the

Apopka meetin&^plaee with two other individuals in a car. I I asked

to see | l and Bill BCGAR who was then Exalted Cyclops. At the

time BCGAR was not present and because he had left instructions that none
of these KLans men from other KLaverns could be admitted to an Apopka meet-
ing J I chas ed than off the grounds and told them not to come back.

are believed to be very clo se associates, both handling
rertlLizer. It was stated that ] \ who is employed- at the Winter

Gard en Citrus grow ers Exchange steals fertilizer from his employer and
uses as his outlet.

It was shortly before this time that the internal trouble d evel-
oped in the Apopka Klavern of the Association of Georgia Klans where I I

l and the others were b anished or suspen ded through the efforts of BILL
BOGAR. Subsequenmy l ~~| was reinstated by | I in what was char-

acterized as a ”dduble-cross» f . It was about the middle of 1950, according
to T-l, that BTLTuHKNDRTX of the Southern Knights visited the Apopka
Association of Georgia Klana Klavern after hearing of the fraction within
the Klavern. In the middle of the summer of 1950 the Apopka KLavem of
the Association of Georgia Klans transferred to the Southern Knights. There-
after EARL BROOKLYN and others in the Association of Georgia Klans stopped
visiting the Apopka meetings.

The officers of the Association of Georgia Klans Klavern, Apopka,
remained in office under the Southern K nights charter through 1950. How-
ever, a clique hea ded by I I for whom T-l has very lit tle re-
gard, and nnryi- nriirifj ^ I arranged

for an election in Janua ry, 1951, at whl'eH. time | I was elected

Exalted Cyclops . | | was reelected Exalted Cyclops in July, 1951? ac-

cording to the informant.- •* Informant s aid it was about this time or shortly
before July, 1951, that BILL BOGAR and l I ceased to have any

affiliation with the Klan.

ormant believes that both EARL| JtpROOKIZN avoided

knew he had no use for persons/of their caliber*/ V
BRCOKEYNs , together with CURI2MLVIN to visit / \

It was the practice of the BRCOKLYNs , together with CtlRLl^ral&VIN to visit j
the Apopka Klavern. Informant was unable to recall exactly when they visited
but could only furnish the following information in some chronological order

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MM 44-270

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Concerning

Informant believes he ceased to have any

affiliation 'with the Klan at the end of his term as Exalted

infor mant recall ed that early during

EABLl

term as Ex-

BROOKLYN had attempt _ _

/ the Imperial Wizard at Atlanta

charter from Dr. SAMUEL

lando Klavern, but were rexusea necause n r. tiHjtMJi opposed »rough stuff« in

the Klan. Dr. GREEK .died while | | was still Exalted Cyclops and SAM

ROEER took over as Imperial Wizard. After ROPER became Imperial Wizard he

gave a charter in Orlando to a group headed by the BROOKLYNs. Prior to that

time a Winter Garden group had obtained an Association of -Georgia

charter. There was considerable trouble over the ownership and operation

of the ^ clubhouse of the Klan located on Route 50, the new Winter Garden Road,

five males . west of Orlando . He believes EARL BROOKLYN was involved in a

session when the furniture in the clubhouse was wrecked and the American
flag torn; •

^ — ,

affili

Informant said he was present when
ated with the CIO and had a smell group o f railroad men during
organized as -a wildcat KLanJ | BILL BCGAR and

ant that[

penal Wizard, when ROPER pai

summer of 1949® It was the opinion of the inform-

EARL

was Grand Dragon of the Association of Georgia JH ans

He said he was also present when EARL BROOKLYN visited the Apopka
Klav ern of the Association of Georgia Hans on three or four oc casions
while ! | was Exalted Cyclops. At no time while I I was Exalted

Cyclops or while BILL BOGAR was Exalted Cyclops of the Association of Georgia
Klans did the informant receive ary information concerning the alleged ex-
hibition of floor plans of HARRY" MOORE* s home to ary KI ansman after an
Apopka ICLan meeting. The informant said he knew nothing of such alleged
floor plans and, never heard them discussed. He further stated he was "not
in possession of any papers relating to the KLan.

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MM 24-270

The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents JAMES
P. SHANNON and PRANK F* MEECH on March 6* 1952* at Sanford* Floridao

BASIS

interviewed inasmuch

alleged^ 10 have been a close associate of
EARL J. BROOKLYN.'

a s ne zs
suspect

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1 fnrfttrf nn<=i*lv rvrnnr-tfiri -in this case as

Iwho resides on

leading r frbm Sanford to Orlando. Fl orida\ opposite th^

furnished the following information*

He is a

furnished by[

mainly engaged in

]in the Sanford area* He was a

member of the old Ku KLux Klan which he joined about sixteen years ago and
maintained his membership and activity in the Klan for the succeeding years
except for a period of about three years toward the end of the existence
of the Florida Klan. He rejoined the Klan while l was Exalted

Cyclops of the Orlando Klavern of the Association of Georgia Klans (after
TILLMAN H)^ELVIN was Exalted Cyclops)* He claimed he has had nothing to
do with E&KL J« BROOKLYN for the past two years although for many years
prior to that time he and BROOKLYN were very close friends and hunted .and
fished together.

He stated he and the BROO KLYN boys come f rom Ocoee and grew up
together and he went to school with I I who is his age. He in-

sisted that he does not know the reason why EARL BROOKLYN no longer speaks
to him except that EARL is a very moody person who will suddenly take a
dislike to a person or becom angry with them- for some insignificant reason
and refuse to have anything to do with the person or discuss ary disagreement
He readily admitted that on occasions he risks the wrath of EARL BROOKLYN
when EARL would cease to talk to him and would indicate he was angry with
him he would ask EARL the reason for his attitude* realizing that he him-
self might receive a ’’trimming”. He described EARL BROOKLYN as a man who
was a rowdy type with violent likes and dislikes* who drank very heavily

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MM 44-270

prior to his stomach operation two or three years ago and was »all man”,
■weighing about 220 pounds and was extremely strong and vigorous .

insisted he never heard EARL BROOKLYN discuss

HARRS MOORE and that he himself just knew the NAACP existed. He claimed
he knew nothing of the kUJLing of MOORE, has no info'-r^.-ion that might
have any bearing on. this case and, in fact, never heard ■■>£ the alleged co]
mittee formed by the Orlando Klavern of the Association of Georgia Klans

to investigate this cgsp in order. to free the Klan of suspicion (as sta
previously.by JAMES bAiQHNSON). He admitted knowing JOHNSON and stab
he has been attending 'the Orlando Klavern of the Association of Georgia

ase :

I/MQ

regularly

He stated he never visited a meeting of the Apopka Klavern of
the Association of -Georgia Klans but a t one time w hile ! ~| was

Exalted Cyclops of the Orlando Klavern I l att ended a party o He

never heard of the floor plans of MD0RE?s house being in existence and
was never approached- by BROOKLYN in that regard .

I I claimed EARL BROOKLYN is afraid of the law and based his

belief on the following incident . While he and EARL were engaged in some
illegal fishing on a lake, having valuable equipment ready to be set out
to catch fish, BROOKLYN told him that if aw game warden approached them
he, BROOKLYN, would not let him have any of their equipment and would scare
him off# Shortly thereafter there was a rustle as of a person approaching^
through the woods. Although the person was not a game warden or anyone
interested in their activities, EARL BROOKLYN fled without waiti ng to find
out who it was and without worrying about the boat , , equipment or |

He ran or walked -all the way home, leaving| [to take care of the boat

and equipment and the car. ’

When questioned as- to his attitude and that of BROOKLYN toward
negroes he said they were not against equal facilities for negroes and
did not believe in doing anything illegal as far as negroes were concerned.
He insisted he had never been engaged in terrorist activities against
negroes or anyone else. He further denied going to Groveland at the time -
of the Groveland Rape Case incidents.

In regard to »CUELY» K ELVIN, his past and present actions and
the possibility tha tl I made a trip to Groveland with BELVIN, he

recalled that CURLY BELVIN used to be a mechanic in- Orlando, did a consider
able amount of drinking but quit when he . became ill a few years ago . He

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MM 44-270

inary man, a pretty good fellow, not rowdy
or overbearing toward his f ellow Sian » He stated the only time he ever made
a trip with BELVIN was when | I was head of the Klan before the

war , wh eJ i |and BELVIN made a trip to a state Klan meeting in Tampa*

RAYMOND G'sKhOWELL was unknown to him,. He was questioned

following

acquainted with him years ago*

a quiet, easy-going person, never rowdy, who was

4 *

LLOYD HATCH: attends meetings at the Orlando Klavem of the Asso

'Georgia Klans but is not too regular* He has had a lot of dif-

fishing charges. Recently he was convicted with|

I at Cocoa, Florida, and is presently out on bond on charges in Lake
County at Tavares. HATCH lives at Lake Jessup but is working in DeLand
as a' welder for a tug boat construction company*

claimed he knows nothing about the[

incident and knows nothing of the MELVfflf WOMACK killing except what he had
read in the newspapers.

\ i

1 claimed

When questioned about the

incident

However, he claimed he did not believe

\/it \ias a family a ffair »

] of | | would arrange for such a beating ‘ although

he' adm itted the brothers had had a falling out. He relat ed that I

~kt the same time

that

to get
iTessu

used to fur nish fish for wholesaling by thd

was associated with them* Then| land

| bought a sawm ill, but never set it up*

H managed
k in Lake

asked for his money back and received it
:ome old big cypress logs which had been cut and were sun
1 bought back into the sawmill partnership. After[_

p.l

J split upl

again wanted to get his money out of the enterprise

and also wanted a share of the logs that had been pulled out of Lake Jessup

claimed he heard th at

beating aid that h is wife had se en] j
he looked too bad* told

had received a

she next dav and did not think

he thought! -

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Klavern

— 'U — ™* Klans, m VVM VUWJ, V WMV VVU.UUM W V , 1'JCU'UU , ,

1952* He was always a good, quiet young man, never engaged in any violence.

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MM 44=270

s re

or the beating* |

■was responsible for the

ansi

Iff of

Regarding the b urning o f | said that a

short time before the fire l I took a sewing machine and some other

furnit ure out of the house and carried it to his aunt*? place* He thought
I had his house burned in order to get, some insurance because he wanted
some money to buy a fish camp across the lake*

•The following is a descr:
from observation and interrogation

Race

Sex

Birth date •

Bi rthplace ....

’Height

Weight

Hair'

Eyes

Complexion

Father

Mother

Wife

Children

Brother-in-law

Peculiarities

as obtained

white

Business

Residence

Fingerprints

Photographs

available in various poses

RES:egh

M kh - 270

The following investigation was conducted by Special AgentsL
and ROBERT T. NISCHWITZ on March 13* 1952, at Taft, Florida.

BASIS: ADISTdERNIGM interviewed inasmuch as he
■was reputed' to be one of those who attempted to
have T.H^ELVIN resign as Exalted Cyclops of the
Orlando KLan.

ADIS JERNIGAM
was interviewed at his
Taft.

* 9th Street and Route 50, Vinter Garden, Florida,
work in a remote orange grove on the outskirts of

He stated he has been a member of the Association of Georgia
KLans, Vinter Garden branch, for approximately eight or nine years. For
approximately the past year he has not been actively associated with the
group, his work demanding too much of his time.

On questioning JEHNJGAN stated he was scarcely acquainted with
suspect BELVH and refused to comment on ary action he had taken to have

resign as Exalted Cyclops of the Orland o Klan. He stated he knew
I but refused to reveal whether f I -was or is a member of the

.ycCari. He also stated he is acquainted with RAYMOND G. HOWELL,

I- JAMES B. JOHNSON and

1 Of a.~M these he stated he be

lieved them to be "good fellows" and refused to disclose whether or not
they are or have been members of ary KLan. JERNIGAN stated he is acuqainted
with EARL J. BROOKLYN and has known him for about eighteen years,
been rather closely associated with him during the past ten years
BROOKLYN when they were children in Ocoee, Florida. According to JERNIGAN,
BROOKLYN has not been active in the Winter Garden Klan for approximately
six or seven years.

having
He knew

* JERNIGAN stated he is now head of the KLokann Committee of the
Winter Garden branch of the Association of Georgia Klans and has held that
position for three or four years. He explained his job in this office as
that of investigating prospective members, instances involving needy fam-
ilies and sick persons and seeing to it they were adequately taken care of*

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MM 44-270

He vehemently denied his duties included taking care of individuals who
might be considered undesirables* He stated when information regarding
each persons came to his attention or the attention of .ary KLan member
it was his duty to inform the proper authorities in law enforcement so si
individuals might be taken care of by due prooess of law* He stated he
was certain there were no members of the KLan who would take the law inti
their own hands and perpetrate ary acts of violence on aryone for any
reason. '

Concerning instant bombing JERNIGAM stated he had heard
discussed for the first time after the bombing; however , at no time was
the bombing discussed at any meetings and the only thing he knew about
it was what he heard on the street in general conversation. He stated he
knew of no member of the KLan #10 would do such a thing.

JERNIGAN also denied having seen any floor plans of the
house either in a KLan meeting or on the outside.

■1

He promised his cooperation in furnishing to the FBI ary informa-
tion that might come to his attention regarding instant bombing.

The following description
servation and interrogation:

Name

Address

of JERNIGAM was obtained through ob-

WILLIAM AJDls/jERNIGAN

Post Office Box 366, 9th Street .

and Route 50, Winter Garden, Florida

birthplac e

Height

Weight

Build

Hair

Iftres

Complexion

Occupation

Wife

Brothers

Military service
Arrest record

Laurel Hill, Florida

5 * 12 *

200

heavy

brown, grey-streaked •

blue

ruddy

Jernigan & Brooker Contracting

Company, a citrus picking and
haul Trip- concern

none

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PIS:egh
MM 44-270

Florida.

The following investigation, was conducted by Special Agents |_
"land EGBERT T. NISCHWHZ on March 8, 1952, at Winter Garden,

BASIS:- F. E. LOOMIS interviewed inasmuch as he
was allegedly one of four members of the Orlando
Elan who asked BELVIN to resign and was allegedly
active with the radical element in Winter Garden.

F. E. LOOMIS, undertaker, 428 East Plant Street, admitted joining
the Winter Garden KLavem of the Association of Georgia Elans approximately
four or five years ago but denied holding an office in the Elan and denied
participating in or having knowledge of any violence in connection with
Klan activities in the Winter Garden or ary other Elan..

Throughout the interview LOOMIS was generally uncooperative, re-
fused to answer numerous questions and claimed he' had no knowledge of spe-
cific incidents and that even if he had he could not divulge same due to
his Elan oath.

It was pointed out to LOOMIS that in .connection with the Elan oa
he also took an oath to help law enforcement officers, which he denied.

LOOMIS said he always' has been and always will be Elan minded;
however, he does not now and never has advocated violence in carrying out
Elan policies .

He claims he never heard of HARES T« MOORE until after MOORE* s
home was bombed and that, although he does not believe in capital punish-
ment, whoever killed MOORE should be prosecuted for murder and electrocuted

LOOMIS denied ever hearing MOORE* s name mentioned in Elan meet-
ings* He also denied knowledge of and/or participation in other acts of
violence against individuals in the Winter Garden cire a during recent years
and said such things were never discussed at Elan meetings at which he was
present and he claimed he heard about incidents after they occurred through
people .talking on the street.

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m 44-270

LOOMIS admitted knowi ng EARL J. BROOmN,| | TILLMAN

H. BELYIN j ~ b ad JAMES B. JOHNSON but refused to state

whether he had ever se'en them at Klan meetings and also refused to state
whether he knew them to be Klan. members*

He steadfastly denied ever hearing of any Klan participation in
violent acts but said if he ’^wanted a neighbor taken care of” he knew where
he could «get the job done*’* He would not explain this statement*

F. E. LOOMS' declined to allow Agents to take his photograph,
stating, »I don*t want my picture shown to a bunch of niggers at Mms**..

The following description of LOOMIS was obtained through inter-
rogation and observation:

Name

Address

_Ag®—

^Birth-date,,.

. Birthplace

Height

Weight

Build

Eyes

Hair

Soars and marks .

Occupation

Education

Military service

Arrest record

FRANCIS EPHRABf LOOMIS

428 East Plant Street, Winter

Garden, Florida

September 2, 1907

6?4*f
230
heavy
blue

brown, grey-streaked
tattoo star left forearm;
mole center of chin;
operation scar on stomach
undertaker and funeral director
2 years John B« Stetson University,
Deland, Florida; 1 year Renovard
Bnbalming School, New Xork City
U. S» Navy, 1923 to 1926, S 2/c,
honorable discharge (claims defer-
ment World War II because of
arthritis)

claims never in jail but admits
arrested several times for speed-
, dates and places not recalled

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The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents

l and ROBERT T. NISCHWITZ on March 7, 1952, at Apopka,

Florida «

BASIS

] alleged former Exalted Cy-

clops of a KLavem in Apopka, interviewed for any
information he might have of Klan activities and of
suspects BROOKLYN and BELVIN..

. | | advised he was a Rians-

man but had dropped out of the organization ten or eleven years ago. He
stated just prior to World War II he felt that war was .imminent and decided
a Klan would be necessary in and around Apopka. He was very vague as to
why a Klan would be necessary in time of war. He merely stated. he felt
they could be of some use in the community. He advised he gathered a group
of about 24 men and set about obtaining a charter from the Florida Klan.

He could not state the exact date. He stated that in his opinion the Klan
was a good thing if it were handled in the right way by responsible citizens.
However, he stated that if the Klan fell into the hands of unreliable per-
sons it could be a vicious organization. Three weeks after the '.organization
of the Klan he dropped out. His plan was just to organize the Klan and
then step out. He said he had no particular reason for leaving the Klan but
just wanted to see one started and then drop out. ;

To his knowledge there was no one member he could single out as
being a ! *rough-neck»» or agitator. He refused to reveal names, saying he
could not remember them. He stated he had never held an office in the
Florida Klan.

advised he could name no one presently associated with'

the ICLAn in Apopka and the only ICLan activities he could recall in recent
years was a speech made about a month ago? by BILL HENDRIX in Orlando* He
advised he wanted to help Agents as much as he could but could not recall
ary Klan members or incidents of value. He stated he did not believe in
the ”rides ,? in which the Klan participated nor did he think any of the
members of the Klan he organized believed in such activities. He did not
know anything about any particular !i rides”.

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■When asked about the jfollowLng - jjadividuals
never heard of them before: EARL Jr^Bftnf)KT;YTfl - ttt.t.m

Istated he
MN, JAMES

and

He stat ed he -was acquainted with ! |as he is presently

opposi ng! 1 in the coming election f or Oonsta ble > He said that he

did not care to make ary statements about ! I as he ■was his political

opponent and did not fee l it -was p roper to teH'law enforcement officers
■what he objected to aboufa l land h is constabulary duties* He said the

only things he knew wrong -with ! I concerned local affairs* He in-

sisted they had nothing to do with KLan activities or with instant b cmbing.

I up on hearing the names of I I

^stated he did not know ary of them.

He stated
member of

was a nice fellow and as far as he knew

is known to Hm by sight but he knows nothing about

him. ,

is believed active in the Elan. He could not state

t 4

why he believed | was in the KLan.

seemed to be a decent sort of fellow# bub not

too intelligent.

had a fair reputation in the community and|

could not state whether he was active in the Elan*

■ r

btt.t. BOGAR was a nice fellow but a little erratic in his talk
which was attributed to a war wound BOGAR is supposed to have received.

He said BOGAR in very talkative.

said he is a close friend of | | Orange County

Sheriff# and that he has worked along with him in law enforcement work in
the past and was himself a deputy sheriff down-state for eleven or twelve

years.

He said l I who resides on lake Apopka and -was

at one time a game commis sioner for the St at© of Florida *was an ex— Klansman
and could possibly furnish.* considerable infoisaation concerning various
Klansmen of the area* He felt l I at one time *was Exalted Cyclops of

•hhe A-no-nka Klari althoiiffh he -was not SUT6*

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The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents

| and ROBERT T. NISCHWITZ. ^

| Shore Drive, lake Apopxa.- >23 interviewed for

any information he might have concerning the KLan in aoi around Apopka-
He advised he has not been active in any KLan work for at least fifteen
years. He stated approximately fifteen years ago he had been actively as-
sociated with the KLan, then the Association of Georgia Klans, in Orlando
but had dropped his participation at the time the KLan meeting house in
Orlando burned. Since that time he has had no connection with the KLan,
for three reasons; first, a lack of interest on his part; second, lack of
time on his part; and third, because he had become badly crippled with arthritd
necessitating his remaining at home. ■

He was questioned regarding any information he had concerning
the below listed individuals and made the following comments :

TILLMAN H. BELVIN: he recalls him as a mechanic who had his

shop on South Hughey Street, Orlando. He saw him frequently at the Ku
KLux KLan lodge in Orlando before the meeting house burned. He never knew
him to participate in ary violent activities of the Klan.

EARL J. BROOKLYN

him

JAMES B. JOHNSON: He recal l s JOHNSON fixed his vcLfe*s sewing

machine at one time but knows nothing about him.

He does not know Mm.

He does not know him.

| | has known him well for s

neighbor. He is at the present time running agains
ka for the office of Constable. He does not know i
active in Klan affairs.

ears as a former

I of Apop-
I was ever

knows as Constable in Apopka and describes him

as a "good man"

BILL BOGAR: described as "Crazy Man Bogar". , He explained
by stating BOGAR was shell-shocked during World War I and that Ms m
has apparently been affected since that time. He is given to tall s

this

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knows only as Chief of Police, Apopka

knows

LLOYD HATCH and

a commercial fisherman who was suspected of ill ega l, fishing activit ies’
during the time. ’he was fish and game warden* Both l I were
fishing partners and close friends of|

Jduring this time

Other individuals mentioned td

jwere unknown to him.

stated he knew nothing about ary atrocities such

as beatings that had been administered by the Klan on ary individuals* He
personally did not believe in such actions and heartily condemned it. He
Appeared cooperative but repeatedly stated that due to his long disassocl-
ation with the Elan he was unable to recall any of the individuals con-
nected with the Klan during the time he was in the Klan. He stated he was
not awjtuaiphsd with any of the individuals presently associated with the
Klan because of his physical disability. He had no knowledge of any Klan
^.-<s0EoaectKEbn with instant bombing.

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den.

The fol lowing investigation was conducted by Special

l and ROBERT T. NISCHWITZ on March 30, 19. r 2, at

Florida.

at Winter Gar

BASIS: | | allegedly! pi? the

Winter Garden ELan in 1951, interviewed for any 1
formation he may have concerning suspects BRCOELY
and BELVBI.

| I of the Winter Garden Hardware Store,

stated he was a member of the Klanbut refused to give any other informa-
tion whatsoever in regard to Klan activities or membership. He -stated
that in his Klan oath he was obliged not to discuss anything to outsiders
about Klan activities.

He was given to various outbursts on politics to’ throw- off ques
tioning and at one time stated, "You guys from the FBI are running aroiind
here picking on the Kl an when you should be out catching the Communists
who are trying to overthrow the government.”

* V

He was advised he would not have to violate the Klan oath and
that interviewing Agents were aware of who were ELan members in Winter Ga
den. He was asked to furnish his opinion of the following named men:

EARL J. BROOKLYN, TILLMAN H. BELTMnJ I

JANES Bo JOHNSON and I I

After each ngma he merely repeated the statement, "He *s a fine

fellow. »

In view of the fact
terview was terminated.

s extremely uncooperative, the in

T+. -i s +.«■> "hA nrvf-.prl is a business oartner ofj —

.known Winter Garden ELansman who was also uncooperative when

interviewed.

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The folio
ROBERT T. MSCHW2TZ
Florida.

conducted by Special Agents
on March 10, 1952, at Orlando,

BASIS: JOE N. COX, allegedly old-time Klan g m an ,

interviewed concerning terrorist activities in
Orlando and vicinity and for information he might
have concerning suspects BROOKLYN and BELVIN and
others*

*#*•

JOE NttCCX readily admitted he was a former ELansman connected
with the Association of Georgia Elans in Orlando* He stated he has dropped
active participation in the ELan for many years and is at the present time
deeply involved in politics. He is running for the office of Supervisor

of Registration for Orange County.

He disclaimed any knowledge of terrorist activities on the part
of the Klqn although he admitted that it was possible the Elan might have
been involved in one or more beatings in the past, adding that he per-
sonally knew nothing about them* He stated he knows nothing about instant
bombing and could not name anyone of his former associates in the Elan who
would be capable of doing anything like that. COX stated that as far as
the atrocities and terrorist activities of the Elan were concerned he knevj -
only what he had seen in the newspapers.

Concerning suspects BROOKLYN and BELVIN , as well as

JOHNSON andl I he made the following statements:

TILLMAN H. BELVIN is recalled as quite a radical persons about
fifteen years ago. However, at the present time BELVIN is a very sick man
and has not been actively associated with the Elan in any way since the be-
ginning of World War II.

COX is not well acquainted with EARL J. BROOKLYN and only knows
him by sight.

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| is known to CCE only as a customer of his

•where he is employed in the Medio ck Tractor Company, East Central Avenue,
Orlando, Florida.

Concerning suspect JAMES B. JOHNSON he stated he last saw JOHNSON
about one year ago. He r».i a-? ma to know very little about JOHNSON but men-
tioned he had heard JOHNSON had gotten into some kind of trouble about a
year ago in Brevard County, at which time JOHNSON allegedly beat up a
white boy for reasons unknown.

is Unknown to COX.

JOE N. COX refused to elucidate on his activities in the KLan,
falling back on the oath he took at the time he joined the KLan.

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The following investigation was . conducted by Special Agents
1 and FRANK F. MEECH on March 7? 1952, at S-anford, Florida.

BASIS: ERNEST JAMES BROOKLYN interviewed inasmuch
as he is a brother of a principal suspect, EA EL J.
BROOKLYN.

•SHf-x-

ERNEST JA>5ES^R00KIZN who is 44 years of age resides in an old
grove near lake Mary, Florida , being employed as a caretaker and grove
maintenance man by Niblock Groves 12 years. ERNEST BROOKLYN claims he had
not seen his brother EARL BROOKLYN in six months . He said that latest
visit six months ago occurred incidental to a fox hunting trip by EARL
BROOKLYN and some companion whose identity is unknown to ERNEST BROOKLYN.

He related that ever since they wsre very young he and EARL always fought
each other. He said EARL BROOKLYN was a type who would be inclined to
fight if anyone disputed his word. Because of his terrible "temper ERNEST
BROOKLYN developed the habit of just listening to EARL and not even, carry-
ing on a two-way conversation with him for fear of receiving a beating from
him. He doubts that EARL BROOKLYN has visited his, ERNEST* s, home more
than six times during the twelve years that ERNEST has resided in the grove
at Lake Mary. During that period he himself has visited EAHL*s home about
three or four times. He claims that he does not even know vfoere EARL BROOK-
LYN is presently employed. He knows nothing about EARL BROOKLYN* s KLan
activitie s except that he know that in t he past EARL has been a member of
the KLan. I I whom he has seen more often told

him that both he and EARL belonged to the Klan and tried to induce ERNEST
to join.

associated with

ned about EARL BROOKLYN *s associates ERNEST BROOKLYN
EARL ua ed to run around with WALTER BALLARD J

I and ~1 He believed that EARL was

anyone else until they naa a aiS'
two years ago. Since that time
•w little, of each other. When

sme unknown matter about two years ago.

,s his understanding they have seen very little of each other,
itioned as to the reason why EARL BROOKLYN has such an anti— neg
ERNEST BROOKLYN could only attribute it to the race riot which

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in. their home torn of Ocoee, Florida, in 1919 or 1920 -when many negroes
were killed and their houses burned. He believes that incident most have
had a lasting effect on EARL. He also seated that|

the same -way about negroes as EARL dogs
EARL BROOKLYN used to hunt with SI

| feels

3NEST BROOKLYN recalled that

BIG many year;-, ago.

When questioned about Tim^jBmOT, EHHEs5^R00XI2N claimed he

never did know him. When questioned about instant ease' inv olving the

k i llin g of HARRY MOORE at Mms he stated he had never heard

mention HARRY MOORE and knew nothing about the case except what he read
in the newspaper. He further claimed he did not know many of the people
in 'Winter Garden except some very old settlers since he restricted his- ac-
tivities to the Lake Mary area which is many miles from Winter Garden.
EARL BROOKLYN is not the type person to visit or associate with his rel-
atives. Therefore his sisters who are named below have had yp.w l-f-h-hle
contact with him in recent years . In fact EARL BROOKLYN and |

|do not get along very well together either.

EARL BROOKLYN are as follows:

of Ocoee, Florida— husband works

tor Ropers Packing Company

Mrs o GALVIN (ANNIE) MANN who is the oldest in idle family and
re sides somewhere in Lakeland, Florida .

| of Ocoee, Florida— husband works

in grove work.

In a n attempt to locate
Mary, Florida . I

of Lake

was i nt ervi ewed » She
stated that the BROOKLYN family is not very .close and that l I

sees his own family only about twice a month. The first and last time she
ever saw EARL BROOKLYN was about four years ago. At one time since then
EARL BROOKLYN dropped in at the house arid inquired of I l if he had

seen any of his dogs. It seemed EARL BROOKLYN was in on a fox hunt and had
lost his dogs. She .knows that EARL RR OfffCTyN does not a ssociate with his
family because of his bad temperament . I I has visit ed her home

on several occasions, mainly to talk baseball with

who is a

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i *

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The fbllowin
ADERHOLD and

on -was conducted by Special Agents GLIDE
>n March 10, 1952, at Orlando, Florida.

\ f

BASIS:

who GIs reported to bo : Involved
in terrorist Activities in the Winter Garden, Florida ,
area, interviewed for information concerning these ac-
tivities and for backgfound information concerning
suspects BROOKLYN and BELTON.

the Mims Barber

Shop and resides at

_ , J Winter G arde n. Florida. He stated

he has lived at Wint er Garden for app roximat ely | | years and that he is

name being [

He admitted joining the Ku Klux Klan at Winter Garden in about
1936 or 1937. He said he remained,, -.a member until approximately 1947*

He advised that for a period of about two years just before the last war
he had been a member of the KLokann Committee at Winter Garden. He said
at no time while he was a member of this committee had they participated
in any terrorist activities. .

advised that he returned from the Army in about 1946 and

that when he attended a Klan meeting at Winter Garden he became disgusted
because the Klan was becoming involved in politics and he saw some members
of the TCI an with whom he did not care to associate. He stated he has not.

been to a Klan meeting since that time and knows nothing of the Klan activ

He refused to
Klan at the time he was

time he entered the Klan

•s

furnish the names of officers or members
attending because of the oath he had tak

a dvised he was well acquainted mtq

had worked as| Jin the Mims Bar b er Sh op for abo ut ten

months. He recalled he had a fight withl I because I had stolen

a gun and he also remembered tha

Ihad been taken out by a group of

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vtefce men and beaten and shot® He denied having anything vdiatsoever to do
with this crime and denied knowing the identity of the men who parta.cipe.ted
He explained he and his wife often attend auction sales in the vicdnity
of Or lando and that l I at winter Garden,' had

asked | I to try to find some odd o r antique pistols for his gun col-
lection. According to I I I told him if he found any such pis-
tols he s hould buy th em and -would give h-ipi the money he paid for

"Hie guns. | I stated at one aution sale held in ’Orlando during about

the first part of 1949 he purchased a pistol for about $2.00 or $3.00 for

He said the name of this pistol -was ^British Bulldog** and that

he had obtained this pistol at an auction being held b y the Trail Auction
House located on South Orange Blossom. Trail in Orlando * | | advised

he took this gun to the barber shop and placed it. in a canvas bag in which .
he 'also kept barbering tools. At the time he placed the gun in the bag

| saw him. He said he never thought any more about the g un un

til a bout a month later whe n a young colored bey known to | [ as

parne to him and told hid \ had this gun in the negro quarters

and was threatening some of the negroes with it

He said when he received this informa tion he w ent to the canvas
bag and sa w the gun " was missing* He then, asked | if he had taken

the gun and | l admitted having t he guri at home

proodmately 1:00 P.M. and that he told

,was missing* He then, asked

He said this was ap
]he would give hi m one hour

in which to bring the gun back to the barber shop. According to l

stayed around the barber shop until the last minute and just man-
aged to _ get home and bri ng the gun bac k by 2 :00 P.M.I I stated as

gave him the gunl I asked | \ why he had taken it.

According to[

then said for him to keep his mouth shut as

said whe

made t his statement he tried to hit!

he had go tten his gun back and also used some profanity at th at time.
the pistol but missed him

saidf

TAriffo

Both scuffled around the bar ber shop and !

| never tried to hit him. but only kept ou t ofl I way

He thought they had scuffled about five minutes whe

hurt his in-

jured knee and ended the scuffle by sitting in the middle of the barber
shop floo r. He the n got up and continued his business and to the best of
his memory ! - | stayed at the barber shop.

About 3:00 P.M. WILLIE WELCH, former policeman at Wint er Garden
now deceased, came to the barber shop and toldl I he heard

was having some tr ouble . „

asked WELCH to pat I I iai.'l fn-r^qteaLing the gUn

thinks a t this time he

Irecalls

WELCH got Policeman

who was on duty at that time and

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Officer ! I •pla ced | |in jail«| | stated nothing more was

said about "[ until about 7i00 P.M. -when he -was driving home. He

explained he stopped in his automobile at a stop sn gn rH -rervhTv beside the
First National Bank at 'Winter Garden and that Of ficerl lname over

and as ked if he was going to get a -warrant out for i I |said

he told l I he was not going to get a warrant and that I l oould

be turned loosed. He then went hom e, had a cup of coffee with his wife and
they, he and his wife, and his aunfcj ~| then went to an

auction sale at Orlando J said h e did not hear what h appened to

l until the following morning when a l I who operated

a shoe s hop at Wi nter Garden at that -time stopped by the barber, shop and
told him] |had been taken out by a 'group of white men the night be~

forerand beaten and shot. I I stated again that, he had nothing what-

soever to do with this crime and did not know the persons responsible for
it.

said he has been acquainted with EARL J. BROOKLYN for
about twenty years. He said he first met BROOKLYN at Ocoee, Florida, and
that BROOKLYN at that time had a reputation of being a tough character in
Ocoee* He said t o the best o.f h is memory BROOKLYN seemed always to be
fighting and that I I had had fist fights with BROOKLYN.

He denied knowing THIMN H. EELVINo

I | also advised the only information he had concerning

the HARRY - T. MOORE case was what was read by Mm in the newspapers. He ^
stated he had ne-ver heard of the name HARH3C T. MOORE until he read about
the bombing of MQORE’s residence.

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The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents I
and ROBERT T. NISCHWITZ on Iferch 12, 1952, at Orlando, Florida.

BASIS

as[

interviewed inasmuch
was a former ..fellow' employee of suspect

BROOKLYN at the Super Concrete Company and, according
to BROOKLYN 1 s supervisor, was approached by BROOKLYN
to join the Klan*

-3Hf*

While attempting to establish contact with 1

1 volunteered the following information concerning |

former association with the Klan*

She stated he -was a former member of the Klan but she had forced
him to quit the organization when they were married about two years ago.

She state d he had been originally i nvited to join the Klan by EARL BROOKLYN
with whom l l are well acquainted. When BROOKLYN

approached Rim to join the Klan he had a great deal of respect and admira~
tion for BROOKLYN and was an enthusiastic member of the Klan. Since that
time he apparently has lost his admiration for BROOKLYN and does not now
like him.

She identified the following individuals as being associated with

1/ Tn addition to t he above individuals she x$as able to recall MDSE* : ,

^mW E-and l l as being members of the Klan around Ocoee, Florida

'where she was born and reared. She knew there were other K La n s m en around
Ocoee, was unable to recall their names at the present time.

✓

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In addition .to th e ahnvs-rwmed personsl I said she was

p.er+. a-j nl | were members of a KLan s although she

was not sure whether they were members in her husband’s Klavern. She stated,
her husband liked both of these individuals very much and was very friendly
with them.

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The f oil owing investigati on ■was conducted by Special Agents CLYDE
P. ADERHGLD and | | on March 14s 1952, at Apopka , Florida.

BASIS: Confidenti al Informant advised suspect. EARL

BROOKLYN conbacted l I at Apopka numerous

times during the months of November and December,

1931.

whose business address

is in care of the Talton Real Estate Company, Apopka, advised he had joined
the K1 ah at Apopka in 1946. He said this "was immediately after he -was
dis cha rged from th e Aimed Forces. He stated that from about 1947 to 194$
he was) bf the. P* KLux Klan at Apopka, the Association of Georgia

KLans, and that w n.T ,I A wmtf&AR wa s Exalted Cyclops at that time. BOGAR was
the only Exalted Cyclops I I could remember. He explained he did not

attend meetings regularly because of his busin ess and that during 1949 he

stopped going to meetings altogether. ! I advised he became disgusted

with the organization because of the lack of unity among the members and
that the members were continuously squabbling among themselves.

>o advised that the only person he could remember
meetings at Apopka who was f rom Winter Garden wa
remembered him because ! I was always asking

buttons for sick people in the Winter Garden area.- He advised he did not
know T. H. BELTON and that to the bes t of his memo ry BELVIN had never at-
tended a ki An meeting at Apopka while I I was in attendance. He

said he has known EARL BROOK LYN for about tw o years on ly as a constituent
•who lives in his , 1 I county district . 1 I stated he has never

seen BROOKLYN at a Klan meeting and he does not know whether BR00KIYN is
memb er of the Ku KLux Klan.

advised that during the months ot November ;
3 interested in having a dirt road repaired
his house and also inte rested in being connected with the Or!
supply system J I said 'RROfVKT YN contac ted him

gard to these matters and that

finally had the road fixed

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in front of BROOKLYNt s house to stop BROOKLYN from contacting him. He
also had assisted RRftnKTyTJ in getting . connected with the -water supply
system of Orlando . I 1 stated at no time -while he was a member of the

KLan had he ever heard anyone at a Klan meeting discuss any terrorist
activities. He said he had never known the name HARHT T. MDOEE until he
read in the paper that MOOHE*s residence had been bombed 'on Christmas day*
1951* He also advised that he had never heard that anyone had plans of
the MOORE residence.

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The followi ng investigation was conducted by Special Agents
CLIDE P. ADERHOLD and | | on March 12? 1952? at Winter Gar-

den? Florida.

BASIS: | | interviewed for any information

he could give regarding KLan and terrorist activ-
ities, Winter Garden area? and information concern.'
ing instant case.

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advised he is part owner of the M & M Wel din g Shop and
resides on Worth Main Street in Winter Garden? Florida. He said he has
been living in Winter Garden since about 1920 and has been a member of the

Ku KLux KLan since abort 1923*

in the past has held the position of

treasurer in the KLan but states he holds no position at the present tame.
He stated the KLan in Winter Garden is mostly a benevolent association that
takes care of its sick members. He has never heard a ny discussion in a
KLan meeting “concerning terrorist aetivitie s . I l advis ed that if the

KLan has participated in any such activities the plans were probably made
in the KLokann Committee. He denied he had ever participated in any such
activities. He explained that he is against night riding activities and
that he definitely believes in law and order. He stated if he positively
knew the KLan had participated in any terrorist activities he would resign
but he believes the KLan is .being falsely accused.

He advised he has known EARL BROOKLYN about four years and met
him through his fox hunting activities. He stated he knew nothing derog-
atory concerning BROOKLYN^ character and would no t state whether or not
he knew BROOKLYN to be a member of the Ku KLux KLan. I I also advised he

has known TILLMAN H. BELVIN for many years. He admitted seeing BELVIN at
TCI an meetings and stated to his knowledge BELVIN was of excellent character
and had never participated in ary terrorist activities.

refused to give the names of the members of the K Lan at

Winter Garden because of the oath he had taken at the time he entered the
KLan. He stated he had attended KLan meetings at Apopka? Florida? with

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m 44-270

TTT.T.M N H, BELVIU bub to the- best of his memory he had never been to a

KLan meeting with. .'5AEL J. BR00KI2N.

He denied ever seeing the plans of MOORS* s house and said to his
knowledge HARHT T. MOORE had never been discussed at a KLan meeting. .He
said the first time he heard of MOORE -was when he read about the bombing
of the MOOR® residence at Mims.

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T. NISCHMETZ
Florida.

fo llowing investigat ion -was conducted by Special

on March 14* 1952* at Winter

BASIS:

interviewed inasmuch

as he -was reportedly involved in terrorist activities,
for information regarding BBDOKEZN and BELVIN.

I denied being a KLans-

man and stated~Ke~has“nevei r ’b¥en a member of ary ICLan. He stated he had
been in receipt of post cards back in 1946 and 1947 asking him to join the -
Ku KLux Klan but he had ignored these invitations. He advised he has
never been approached by ary individual seeking his membership in the Klan.

I advised he did nob know EAEL BROO KLYN * T. H. BELVIN,
J. B. JOHNSON,! I

He stated he has never engaged in terrorist activities and was
at a loss to know how such gossip had been started in regard to him. He
advised he is not anti-negro in the least since his business establishment
caters pri marily to th e negroes in the colored quarters of Winter Garden.

It is noted l I market is situated on the corner of 9th Street and

Plaid; Avenue and that the majority of his trade is with the negro population.

He could furnish no information regarding the beatings admin-
istered to the negroes or whites in or around Winter Garden. However, he
stated a cou ple months ag o to the best of his knowledge a colored cab

lhad mentioned to him that he was riding around

ivernamed

cursed a white man. At this point |

cab and during th is, ride

Itoldf

that!
ing.

.had severely
|he got out of
Later he read

1 cab a nd left as he knew somet hing might happen.

cab had been shot up and ! | had received a severe bea t-

said he knew of no other incidents and felt sure I ~l could

identify the white man 1*0 had been cursed byf

He advised he is not aware of anyone he knows being a KLansman.
He said it is possible some of his acquaintances are Klansmen but he is
not aware of their membership. .

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follovdng investigation was conducted by Special Agents |

ROBERT To NISCHWITZ on March 13, 1952, at Monte verde, Florida.

BASIS: interviewed inasmuch as he

was past Exalted Cyclops of the Winter Garden Klan
for any information he might haVe concerning ter-
rorist activities and background concerning sus-
pects in instant case.

| | was interviewed at his work in an orange grove

in the vicinity of Monte verde . He readily- admitted he had been a member
of the Winter Garden branch of the Association of Georgia Klara for several
years but stated he had not paid his dues for. three or four months. He
stood on his oath taken as a KLansman in refusing to reveal the names of
ary individual members of the Klan.

He furnished the follovdng information concerning the follovdng
individuals although he would not admit they were members of a KLan._

EARL J. BROOKLYN; known to Mm several years ago before BROOKLYN
moved away from west Orange County.

^ known for a few years. Appears to be a

good citizen, not given to any form of violence.

■acter

known for several years a nd believed of good

He kriows of no trouble in which! has been involved.

Citrus Growers Exchange

| knows Mm as \ for the Winter Garden

and believes him. to be of good character.

TILLMAN H. BEL7IN: knew him several years ago when he was in

the garage business in Orlando. BELVIN appeared to be of good character

JAMES B. JOHNSON: acquainted with him. only slightly and met

at a barbecue several years ago, the occasion not recalled.

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Names of other individuals who have come up in instant investi-
gation as be ing associate d -with the Klan in and around 'Vinter Garden -were
mentioned to | | 0f each he stated he either did not know Mm or

he -was a person known to him only by name and as far as he knew he was of
good character*

| stated he knew of no one in the Klan who would be

capable of cammiting an atrocity such as instant bombing. He stated that
at no time either in or out of ary Klan meeting had he seen the floor plans
of MOORE* s house. In addition, he had never heard ary discussion concern-
ing MOORE either by Klansmen or other persons.

He promised should any information concerning instant case come
to his attention he would immediately convey same to the FBI.

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RHOLD andf

Florida.

nvestigati on ms conducted by Special Agents CIZDE
| on March 12, 1952* at Winter Garden,

BASIS: |

Winter Garden, Florida, interviewed for ary informa-
tion he may have ^concerning suspects in instant case
and information concerning terrorist activities around
Winter Garden.

•SHHf

sides at[

Station in Winter Garden.

1 ( previousl y repo rted as

I a nd is l

I Si

. advised he re-r
the Ison Shell Service

said he ms a member of the Ku KLux KLan
at Winter Garden for about twelve months during 194# and 1949. He said that
while he ms in the KLan he had heard rumors that the Klan had pa rticipated

in terrorist activities and that because of this he had resigned,

said he did not want to belong to ary organization that would do such things
and the fact there were rumors to the effect the Klan ms participating
in night riding activities ms sufficient reason for him to resign. He
said he has not been to a Klan meeting since that time.

He -refused to give the names of the officers and members of the
Klan during that period because of the oath he had taken at the time he
entered the KLan. He said he had no information as to the identity of
persons participating in terrorist activities in that area. He also ad-
vised he had never seen the plans of HARHT T« MOORE* s house at a Klan meet-?
ing or anywhere else and that he had never heard of HARHT T. MOORE until
he read about the bombing of MOORE* s house in the newspaper.

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MM 44-270

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II. INVESTIGATION REGARDING SUSPECT JAMES

LX ^

The fo llowin,
NISCHWITZ and

invest!

tion was conducted by Special Agents ROBERT
Ion March 19? 1952? at Sharpe, Florida.

BASIS: | | was reported to have intro

duced JAMES ,B. JOHNSON to T-S. JOHNSON thereafter
tried to organize a KLavern of the Ku KLux Klan in
Cocca? Florida.

Klan but had been a, member of |_
member i d l in 1945 aMJ

the Exalted Cyclops. Later l
JAMES B. JOHNSON and one ALVIE

I advised he is not a member of the

| He stated^ he was a

and to his knowledge I I was

[was on the KLokann Committee along wiit
GE ■who is now deceased.

4 ' He advised that during his association with the Klan he did not

participate in and had not heard of any »rides” or terrorist activities.

He said he knew they made up baskets of food and delivered them to the
needy negroes around Christmas time and then t hey would tel l the negroes
who the food was from and would frighten them.| |did not know the

purpose of this.

I 1 stated he had never heard of HARET T . MOORE until the

instant bombing and that he had never seen or heard of any floor plans of
MOORE 7 s home. On no occasion, had he heard MOORE 7 s name mentioned at any
meeting he attended while a member of the Klan.

On occasion some of the Orlando »»boys” came over t o Cocoa to fish
off the br idge. The group u sually inn'hirie.d. .TAMRS B. JOHNSON J I

( phonetic ) J ' ( phonetic ) and I k aid he

was not sure whether or not| I w as a KLansm an.

On one occasion he recalled JAMES Bo JOHNSON mentioned to I I that

he would like to organize a KLavern of the Klan in Cocoa and that he had
mentioned it one or two times. He recalled on one of the fishing trips
JOHNSON a nd his assoc iates mentioned Confidential Informant T~8 as previously
reported. | | stated that there were no KLaverns in Brevard County

to his knowledge.

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|advised he had n ever been to a Klan meet ing since he
moved from Orlando in 1947® He said I I delivered 300

pounds of fish to the Klan meeting hall west of Orlando on a lake. The
fish were for a fish fry the Klan planned. He did not participate in the
activities but merely delivered the fish and returned to Cocoa.

When questioned eoncerning JOHNSON he stated he was a good fellow
but trough and ready** » He stated he never heard JOHNSON mention HARRY T«
MOORE at anv time while fishing or otherwis e » He vdid not know much about

but stated he knew

at one Dime.

was a Klansman

He named the following as having
he was a member:

a big fat, happy-go-lucky person

being

JAMES

of whom he knew nothing derogatory.

JOE N. COX, secretary, seemed like a nice old fellow.

about whom he knew nothing other than hisj; membership

RAYMOND G. HOWELL, of whom he knew only of his membership.

( phon etic) , of whose last name he was not sure

who came from near Tampa and was always agi-

but believed it t6, be

tating for cross burning and beating spmeone but to his knowledge no one
paid much attention to him.

who was a nice fellow who played poker in the Klan

Lodge often.

TILLMAN BELVTN, EARL BROOKLYN,
.d not know them bv name*

While viewing photographs of KLan smen and suspected Klansmen he
picked out a picture ofr | and said he believed he was a

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MM 44-270

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member of the Florida Klan in 1945 or 1946* He did not know his name and
when he heard his name . stated it was not fa m il i ar to him. He picked a
■ photograph of l I as one -who always said the Klan ought to g o back

to the m ethods of the Old Klan, burning crosses and ”log rolling”. I

l advised that log rolling meant beating or whipping. He could not
identify any other photographs or names *of known or suspected Klansmen.

It is to be noted| |was very cooperative during the inter

view and advised that if he could be of any assistance he would be glad to
help. He advised he would notify the FBI at once should any information
regarding instant case be received bv him.

RESjegh
MM 44-270

III

INVESTIGATION REGARD IN G SUSPECT E. C.

C AMPBELL

> « *

The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents

land ROBERT T. NISCHWITZ on March 18,- 1952, at Titusville, Florida.

BASIS: All motels, hotels and trailer camps in

vicinity of Mims cheoked for suspicious individuals
registered Christmas, 1951 or period immediately
preceding o

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The following individuals, either owners or , managers of the hotels,
motels and trailer camps for a ten mile radius from Mims, Florida, were
contacted* In each instance they stated no suspicious persons, to their
knowledge, had been registered over the pertinent period and they had no
information relative instant investigation.

lAmb assador Motel

Titusville Guest Home

Clinton Motel

I Terrace Motel

I I Titu sville Cabins

f I Rainbow Tea Room and Courts

pRiver Palms Hotel Court '

Penn-State Trailer Park

Carolina Motel

Longh orn Cabins and Trailers

Washington Hotel

Mount Vernon Lodge

3hady -Oaks Motel
, Dee* s Motor Court
Tnri-fan River Villas Motel Court

Palms Hotel ,

I Sies ta Motel

Deluxe Trailer Court
Dixie Hotel
Blue Top Cabins
Live Oaks Cabins

►

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44“270

Titusville Trailer Court
] Bay View Hotel
iurtt and Wilder Cabins
Rive r Shore Motel
J Riverside Hotel
[ Floridian Hot el° Apartment s

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MM k 4-270

The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents

I and ROBERT T. MISCHWITZ on March 4, 11 and 18, 1952, at

Titusville and Allenhurst, Florida.

•r

: Information wa^r^&eived from Mobile and

Birmingham that E. (L^toAMPBELL allegedly flew a
light plane from Birmingham, Alabama, to Titusvill
Florida, on December 25, 1951, placed a clock
mechanism dynamite bomb under MOORE* s bedroom and
was halfway back to Birmingham when the bomb went

•5BHC-

t *

By teletype dated March 4$ . 1952, the Mobile Office advised that
Confidential Informant T-7 had obtained information to the effect that E.

C* CAM P B E L L of Birmingham, Alabama, owned a Piper Cub plane and that he
flew it to Florida December 25, 1951, landing at an airport near Mims, 4
probably Titusville. CAMPBELL reportedly stated he was halfway back to
Birmingham in his plane when the clock mechanism on a bomb set off the dyna-
mite under MOORE* s . bedroom. In t his teletype it was reported that Florida
State Investigat or I I recal 1 ed talking with a night policeman

at Titusville and that this policeman mentioned to Mm that a light plane

had possibly landed at the Titusville Airport last Christmas afternoon*

By letter dated February 29, 1952, the Birmingham Office advised
that suspect CAMPBELL is employed by the Tennessee Coal and Iron Compary at
Birmingham, Alabama. Through a confidential contact with an official of
the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company it was determined that CAMPBELL did not
work on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, December 23, 24 and 25, 1951* Hi this
connection it will be noted that CAMPBELL works the night shift from 11; 00
P*M. to 7:00 A.M. His work days are so arranged that when his time record
indicates he worked eight hours on, for example, December 27, he, actually
went to work at 11:00 P.M. December 26, working through 7:00 A.M. December
27* In this connection it is also noted CAMPBELL *s work record indicates
he put in eight hours of work December 26, 1951, indicating he appeared for
work at II; CO P.M. December- 25, 1951. This -would mean that should CAMPBELL
have actually . flovin to Titusville, placed the bomb under victim MOORE *s
house and returned to Birmingham on December 25, 1951, he would have had
to return prior to 11:00 P.M* at which time he reported for work.

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MM 44-270

By teletype dated March 7 a 1952a the Birmingham Office advised
suspect CAMPBELL has a rating of Captain in the Civil Air Patrol and is a
squadron leader. At the time he made appUcati^i-^for the Civil Air Patrol
he listed among his references one WTT.T.TflM HUSp^DRRIS , head of the Ru
ELux Klan in Alabama* In his original application CAMPBELL indicated he
had seme 325 hours of flying experience , including practically all light
and medium type planes. At the time, date unknown, he owned a BT13A (Con-
solidated Vultee) bearing NC 65301. This plane was sold by him over a
year ago and has not been in flyable condition in the recent past* It was
determined that due to CAMPBELL *s wide acquaintance with various plane owners
at the Municipal Airport in Birmingham he could have had access to practically
any light plane desired by him on a loan basis and, further, that the CAA
would not have required his filing flight plans for any such plane. The
records of the Civil Air Patrol fail^to reflect any flights made by CAMP-
BELL in official Civil Air Patrol planes during the period of instant bomb-
ing.

I Titusville Airport, advised that the
Titusville Airport is open to all transient aircraft and that it has gas-
oline and mechanic services available. He stated that they do not rent
hangar space or tie-down space to transient aircraft. Therefore no records
are maintained for such. He also stated that no record of landings or
take-offs are recorded because no fees are charged for landings.

' t '

I I stated t hat on December 25. 1 951, he was at the air-
po rt until 2:00 P.M, 'and that l I was on duty at the field

in | | absence and woul d know if any aircraft entered or left the

field. During the inter vie vi I noted the closest airfield to the

Titusville -Mims area is an auxiliary ' air strip located along the east coast
at a fishing camp called Allenhurst which is 20 miles northeast of the Mims™
Titusville area. He also stated that on occasions many light plane enthus-:
lasts have landed on the river bottoms along the St« Johns Kiver for fish-
ing purposes . He stated this river bottom is sometimes excellend for land-
ing if the wind is right and then again if the river is high landing is
impossible ■

He stated that during the hours he was working at the field no
aircraft landed or took off. He recalled he returned to the field around
5:00 P.M. and thereafter no aircraft landed or took off. He said that
although the field has a lighting system which enables night operations this

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M 44- 270

lighting system is net automatic, ,an& has to be turned, on manually. He
said he did not light the field for ary night landings or take-offs dur-

ing that evening.

recalled that he had been at the airfield

during the entire afternoon of Christmas day • He stated that during the
time he was there no planes landed or took off.

In connection with the interviews of l
■they were shown a photograph of suspect E. C» CAMPBELL^ Neither could

effect an identification.

It should be noted that AHenhurst is an extremely small community
consisting of a restaurant and fishing camp with several cabins located
around the restaurant. The restau rant and fishing camp is owned and oper—

ated by I ~l in partnership with| | all

of whom were interviewed.

|recalled that a light plane bearing two male

passengers landed at the airstrip at Allenhurst on December 25* 1951* some-
lime between 1:00 and 2:00 P.M. The occupants got out of the plane* came
over to the restaurant, had lunch and immediately returned to their plane
arid took off. They estimated these individuals were on the ground at
Allenhurst approximately twenty to thirty minutes. To the best of their
recollection these individuals spoke to no one other than the waitress to
wham they gave their order and took off without meeting anyone.

| recalled this incident in much the same manner as did

the | I He stated he spoke to them and that one of the men stated they

were heading into the Carolinas after they left Allenhurst* He also recalled
that they appeared to be worried about the take-off and the possibility of
cross winds making the take-off difficult. He also recalled one of them
a sked what the closest town was to which he replied Titusville. According
to I f fahese men landed* had lunch, returned to their plane and took

off. He stated he watched them take off and noted they headed south and he
thought it was peculiar in the light of their statement that they were head-
ing into the Carolinas.l | stated that the plane was a two— tone yellow

and red plane and that he believed it w as an Aeronca Champ. It should be
noted that neither ! ~| was able to give a description of

the plane or its occupants •

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me 44 - 270

furnished the following

occupants :

Occupant #1
*

Age

Clothing

approximately 40

175-135

5 * 10 ”

rough leather jacket similar
the A20 Air Force Jacket;
highly polished brown pointe
no hat;

expensive looking well-press

Occupant #2:

‘Age

■Weight

Hair

Char act eristic
Clothing

approximately 30

175-135

5 * 10 ”

brown

nquiet type”
suit or sport eoat

and sport trousers

Jn connection with the airstrip it will be noted that the strip
is approximately 200 yards wide and 300 yards long. There are no facilities
such as wind socks or fuel pumps and no lighting facilities. In ‘the last
connection it was determined that a light plane can use automobile gafi°lin- e _

and that the same is available ‘at the fishing camp operated by the| |

| Bot hl I stated these men did not get any gasoline

prior to their take-off.

H TQ<CO_ rvrn rln K'hfl'hfi Trivestipatorl IwUS

On March 11, 1952, Florida State Jnvesuigauor| _jwas

telephonically cor.tacted at which time he advised he recalled discussing
the possibility of a light plane landing at the Tit usville Airport on
Christmas afternoon with Titusville night patrolman l I .

stated that durin g the investigation immediately following the bombing he
had met ! l a fellow flying ' enthusiast, and that they had merely dis-

cussed the possibility of a plane landing and the occupants p lacing a bomb
under M00HE*s house and taking off, thus effecting a getaway.l I

stated he had never received any concrete statement from] pr anyone

else to the effect that a plane had actually landed at the airport.

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MM 44-270

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Night Patrolman

Titusville Police Depar tment, s tated

he renal Tod having several conversations •with State Investigator!

but at no', time did he recall discussing with him the possibility

of a plan e landing at the Titusville Airport Christinas afternoon. In this
connection ! I distinctly recalled he had been on duty that night and

that he had spent the entire day at home -with his family. He stated that
he is a flying enthusiast and that it had been his practice to go out to
the airport on frequent occasions and fly a light plane belonging to a
friend of his. However this fri end had sold his plane about three -weeks
prio r to the bo mbing and

then.

Ihad not been able to do any flying since

stated he has never heard any rumors to the effect that a

plane did or did not land at the airport in Titusville on Christmas day

■V

JPS:e£h
Mi 44-270

IV. INVESTIGATION OF TERRORIST INCIDENTS,

ORLANDO AREA

The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents
JAMES P. SHANNON and FRANK F. MEECH on February 29, 1952s at Winter Garden,
Florida.

BASIS: Inasmuch as information had been received that

a negro had been beaten by a group of white men outside
the bank at Winter Garden and that suspect BROOKLYN \
had been left at the scene by his associates, investi-
gation was conducted in the Winter Garden area to de-
velop information concerning the identity of the victim
in that case and the facts surrounding the beating.

-X-3HS-

Davis Drug Store, was questioned about
the above described incident, and stated he recalled the! one of the negro
janitors of the bank had received a beating early in the evening. He him-
self was filling a prescription after the regular pharmacist had gone home
for the day, heard what he thought was a shot and went out to the rear of
his store. He saw a negro jumping around in the street near the police
booth holding his head and shouting and yelling. He believed that WTLLTK
WELCH, the night patrolman who is now deceased was on duty at the time.

He also believes that a doctor J

was unable to

l who has an office nearby might

have treated this negro for bruises on his head«[

of the First National Bank, ad-
vised that about a year ago it was the practice' of LtffHER COLEMAN, nep -o-
janitor at the Winter Garden Elementary School, to assist | I the

regular janitor of the bank, who was also the janitor of the Lake View
High School, Winter Garden, in cleaning the bank. after hours. He tinder-
stands that it was in the evening about 6 or 7 ol clock in February. 1951,
that LUTHER COLEMAN walked out of the side entrance of the bank a d

was still in the bank. After COLEMAN started to shout and create a

disturbance as he was receiving a beating from some unknown white men

went out and on seeing what was going on was able to go bac k into the

building without being harmed by the unknown group of white men.l

advised he knew nothing about the incident himself because he was not at
the scene.

- 4S -

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recall the name of this negro or the approximate time the incident occurred.

JPS t egh
MM 4A-270

b7C

resides at

at the lake View High School, who
related that early in 1951 on a Tuesday in
February at about 7:00 P.M., as he and LOTHER COLEMM were cleaning the
bank premises at Winter Garden LUTHER COLEMAN went out the side entrance
of the bank and was beaten by at least four white men. At the time this
occurred LUTHER had been working upstairs in the bank and he was doing the
cleaning downstairs. He dropped a load of waste paper in the trash can
outside the bank and returned into the bank premises. Then LUTHER COLEMM
walked ou t the side entrance to drop some waste paper into the waste basket.
Just as he | | was starting to sweep the f loor on the ground floor he

heard LUTHER COLEMM shouting, ”Help, police. »l Iran out the' side

entrance of the bank and saw that about at least four white men had LUTHER
COLEMM on the gro und acr oss the street and were^ beating him with sticks
or clubs . Just as l l came out on the street these white men were just

turning LUTHER loose and he started crawling bn his han ds and knees a cross
the street back towards the bank hollering all the time J l under-

stood that these white men had tried to force LUTHER COLEMM into a black
ear which was parked across the street from the side entrance of the bank
but he fought so hard and was able to brace his feet agccnst the sides of
the car so that they were unable to get him into the car. After he fell
to the street outside the car the white men started to beat him. After
they turned LUTHER COLEMM loose the men drove awa y in two cars , the black
car and a yellow convertible which had the top up. f | was unable

to furnish any other description of these oars and did not obtain any license
numbers, (it is to be noted here that the yellow convertib le described by
was determined by subsequent investigation to belong to[

who is. |

was a witness to the scene.)!

lat the Win ter Garden high school and who

Jwas unable to furnish any des-

cription whatsoever of the assailants of LUTHER COLEMM. He did learn
from COLEMM that the first .whit e man who walked up to him was a stout man.
He un derstood tha t two white men J lat the schools

and a l I witnessed this incident. He bel ieves th atf

sawr a shotgun in the possession of one of the men.
see any firearm.

lhimself never did

' LUTHER GOLEMM is presently a field foreman in a citrus/ grove
in another part of the state of Florida* He worked for about a month in
■Winter Garden after this beating and then want elsewhere to visit his
father who was ill. He came back to Winter Garden several time s in the
interim but the last time he was told not to ccme back ary more j
was unable to furnish the source of this warning or threat but states that
some negro whose identity is unknown to him furnished him the information.

JPSjegh
M 44-270

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| advised that

Oakland, Florida.

still resides at

| |of | I residing on

new highway to Clermont, who is the | at the Lake

View High School, Winter Garden, furnished the following information. Some-
time in February, 1951 in the early evening about 7 o f clock as the loc al
theater was disc harging 'some of its audience l | and |

T were driving north on Boyd Street in Winter Garden. As
they drove across the railroad track and were passing the police booth he
saw a group of about five white men struggling with a colored man. They
had a car in the middle of the street across from the bank. At the time
he came to this car to which that group of white men had been dragging the
negro the men had already been able to put this negro .Into this car. Then
the negro managed to get out of this car. As he ms passing this other
car he notioed there was a shotgun pointed out of the car toward the negro.
Because of his interest in getting out of the line of fire he turned around
the corner at Plant Street going east and parked near tne grocery. He got
out of the car after hearing a shot and came back arouna the corner toward
the spot where he . had seen the struggle . By the time he got back around
the comer he noticed two cars driving north up the street across the main
railroad tracks toward Lake Apopka. At the time the negro who had been
struggling with this group ms lying in the street for a few seconds and
then got up and started yelling for the, police. The night patrolman on
duty, WILLIE WELCH, now deceased, walked leisurely up fr om the police booth
but did nothing for the screaming negro. I I claims he is unable

to recall any of the white men who were beating the negro and could give no
description of the two automobiles which sped away with the terrorists in
than.

I on interview advised

she recalled seeing five or , six white men struggling in the street , trying
to force a negro man into a grey car which looked like a Mercury . As the
car in which she was riding passed the group the struggle was still in
progress. She doesn*t know whether or riot the group of white men ever were
able to get the negro into the car. As they came down the street going
north on Boyd Street it looked to her like it was a street brawl. Then as
-they drove past she recalls hearin g more than one shot as they were turn-
ing the corner on to Plant Street. I I stated that her husband

was driving their 1941 Ford convertible. She was pretty certain there* was
another car which drove off north on Boyd Street with the aforementioned

>r like it was a street brawl. Then as
more than one shot as they were turn-

Istated that her husband

- 50 -

m 44-270

grey car but she -was unable to furnish ary description of that car or a
description of any of the -white men -who -were beating the negro.

I -who reside s in taMand , Florida, and is employed

as a domestic by | | advised that LUTHER COLEMAN -

is presently residing at 300 Lemon Street, Sebring, Florida. She insists
that l I LUTHER COIEMAN, t*o has been in the Winter Garden area

since 1935 never knew why he was attacked. At least he never told her -
that there was any reason for the attack by the group of white men. Ac-
cording to information she received from LUTHER it. was on February 6, 1951*
between 7:30 and 8:00 P.M. that he walked out of the bank to sweep the side-
walk al ong Boyd Street which is the side street to the bank. He was sud-
denly grabbed by each aim by two white men who started to take him across
the street to a car and force him into the car. He braced his feet hard
against the sides of the car so that the white men were unable to force
him into it. When he fell backwards a pistol was discharged once. As-
the men were trying to force him into the car they hxfc him over the head
with some type of a club. After being unsuccessful in getting. LUTHER into
the car and after beating Mm over the head a very short time the group got
into the car and drove away* LUTHER told her that he never did see a gun
bub only heard one go off « He couldn*t tell the color of the car nor the
make and was unable to describe any of the men who beat him or even the

exact number of the men who were involved. He believed that there was a
.man in the car when the other two tried to force him into the car. He told
her that if he saw any of them aga in he -would not be able to identify them.
LUTHER was taken to l L ho stitched some cuts in his head. This

injury to his head has caused him considerable worry because he gets dizzy
spells when the weather gets hot. The constable in Winter Garden is sup-
pose^, to have talked to LUTHER about this incident. For two and a half
weeks after the incident LUTHER COLEMAN went back to work at the elementary
school in Winter Garden. When his father became ill in Gainesville, Flor-
ida, in April, 1951* LUTHER left in order to. see him. LUTHER returned to
visit her in Winter Garden periodi cally and was las t in Winter Ga rden about

three weeks ago. It- was then that l I who rooms with|

over Robinson* s Big Shop told LUTHER about some white folks who had ccme to
inquire about LUTHER » | | believes that inquiry by these white

men might have started the rumor that LUTHER had been warned to stay out of
Winter Garden. She states that LUTHER feels much better staying away from
Winter Garden because he has always been puzzled by the beating he received

since he does not know the reason for ito

It is to be noted that none of the above individuals saw EARL J •
BROOKLYN on the street or at the scene.

RES:egh

m 44-270

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The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents EGBERT
E. SHEKEL and EGBERT T. WISGHWITZ on Iferch 11, 1952, at Orlando, Florida.

BASIS :| | interviewed inasmuch as he was

reportedly a witness to the beating at Winter Garden,
Florida, about a year ago of a negro believed to
be LUTHER COLEMAN.

| | Orlan do Post Office . advised he

recalled that about a year ago he and a friend, I I a fellow

employee at the Orlando 3?ost Office, were in Winter Garden delivering news-
papers. He said his mother operates a n ewspaper r oute which he delivers
for her in the evening. He stated he and l I must have been in Winter

Garden about 7500 or 7 j 30 P.M. because it was dark at the time they heard
the cries of the negro being beaten. They heard crie s for hel p and, as
nearly as he can recall, a shot. At that time he and l I ran around

from the rear of the Post Office where they were delivering papers and saw
a crowd gathering by the Winter Garden Bank. Upon approaching the crowd
he saw a negro sitting on the curb wiping his head. From comments of the
crowd he gathered the negro had been beaten by some white men w ho had made
their escape, driving two automobiles. He stated neither he nor | |

actually saw the beating nor did they see the automobiles in which the men
escaped. He recalled a police car came a few seconds after they arrived
on the scene.

| was unable to recall anyone who stated he had seen the

actual beating. In this connection he noted he is not well acquainted
with any individual in Winter Garden and was therefore unable to recognize
any of the persons in the crowd.

fVirrn sai

that furnished by

the same information as

r i

ROT/KES:egh

MM 44-270

The follovdng investigation was co nducted by Special Agents
ROBERT T . lOSCHWm and | March S and 10 , 1952 , at
Winter Garden, Florida.

b7C

b7D

BASIS

interviewed concern-

ing the identity of his nephew who married a girl
allegedly beaten by the Klan.

•5HBS-

advised
who lives

he haal 1 1 neel

nee who lives out-

side Orlando on thel

exact location unknown) |

who recently married a Clermont girl unknown to him, who live
somewhere in Orlando „ exact address unknown; and| 1

| who is presently serving in the United States Marine

Corps and the address of | 1 is -unknown.

stated none of his I were ever beaten by the

Klan. He recalled he knew of a girl who was severely beaten by Klan mem-
bers a short t ime ago. He did not recall the exact date. He said one
I I (phonetic) and an unknown girl were bathing on a beach at

Lake Apopka, at which time a carload of men came to the beach and took the
girls away in the car. They took them out near Black Lake where they ad-
ministered a severe beating with oak twigs and fists. He said he. spoke to
I I the next day. She would not tell him who was responsible but did

say it was broad daylight when they were taken from the beach and the men
who accoste d them w ere all masked. He did not know the number of men or
the name of ! ~1 associate . He did sfcate l I face was badly marked

and o ut and that her body was severely lashed. The ■unk nown men ad vised
I | to get out of the state bv the next morning. I | stated

that soon after he spoke witb l I she packed and left town, coming back
to visit on occasions for a short time.

| | stated he could not say who in Winter Gard en are KLansmen

and refused to say who he thought perpetrated the beating of I

UmI

•I *-

RTH/RES : egh
MM 44-270

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He' advised on three different occasions Klan members tried to
s .get 1 • Mm, but has does not know why they picked nn him as he has done
nothing wrong in the community. He stated one I I had been taken

for a n ride” and beaten severely some years ago and as a result l~ I

■was a ve ry touchy individual who never travels around without being armed.

I advised he himself carries a revolver and stated that any time the
Klan attempts to get him he will kill every man he has a chance to.

He stated that two years ago three carloads of hooded men drove
up to his front door and he grabbed his shotgun, stepped out on the porch
a nd told them that the first man who stepped out of the car would get the
full bla st from the gun, at which time someone asked, f? Are voul I

| said he was not and at that time the cars proceeded down the street
in front of a school teacher* s house. He recalle d this t eacher *s name
•was I I Thera was no beating or violence but l left town and

was never heard from again by any neighbors. He could not recall the date

of this incident but believed it was right after the war.

/ -)
i

The only other TO an activities he could recall were that some -
years ago about 300 cars paraded through Winter Garden filled with hooded
members and the lead car was a red Jeep which had a burning cross attached
to the rear.

Tne fo llowing investigation was conducted by Special Agents ROBERT

T. NISGHWITZ and I ~|

Whi i s* ^-r.r^rviewxng jonfiaentia l Informants T-2, T-3 and T-4, 1 ~l

I cmcernin g iriritvn duals in

TuHritsu fi-arrian , i t was learned thatl I married ■ — L -

pos sibly some four ye ars ago. It was also learned from T-4 that| — 1

and on j present whereabouts unknown, were dose companions •

Both had poor reputations in the community and on several occasions were
seen about the town with black eyes and various body bruises. T-4 stated
he had no specific info 2 mati,on Concerning a whipping that had been admin-
istered to the two girls by KLansmen.

Concerning I I T-4 sta ted her mother prese ntly resides

Concerning | I T-4 sta ted her mother prese ntly resides

at Stu art. Flor ida, with her second husband,! I According

to T-4. 1 1 was a- barber when he lived in Winter Gar den and w as employed

at the same barber shop with l I and one - — | — 1 — 2r4 also

recalled some talk that had been goi ng around the town that| | father

had been T l and that he had been s snt ~fc o orison

sometime during the period 1943 to 1946* T— 4 also stated] has |

I who resides somewhere in Ohio.

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RTN/EES : egh

m 44-270

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T-2 recalled an incident which occurred by the Winter Garden
Bank about a year ago. He stated a negro known to him.- only as LUTHER, the
janitor of the Winter Garden Grammar Schools tad left a ..45 automatic ly-
ing on the desk of the first grade teacher -where it was discovered by the
teacher, turned over to the principal and subsequently turned over to the
Ghief of Police, MAZNAR^MANN, at Winter Garden. A short tine after that
LUTHER was accosted by some white men just outside the Winter Garden Bank
and severely beaten around the head and body before he -was released. Ac-
cording to T-2, this beating was observed bv l . .

in the Parcel Post Section of the Orlando Post Office, and one | I flMf),

~| in the Air Base Section, Orlando Air Force Base, Orlando ,
Florida. T-2 ^ stated these two individuals saw the beating and had an op-
portunity to observe the cars used by the persons administering the beating

T-2 believed that LUTHER might have been beaten because he was
friendly with a girl who is reportedly a close relative or sister of the
negro, MELVIN WOMACK, who was shot and killed a short time before the
beating of LUTHER. T-2 thought it possible LUTHER was in possession of
information to the detriment of the perpetrators of the WOMACK shooting.

In all p:
presently

the negro identified as LUTHER is LUTHER
at Sebring, Florida..

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RESjegh
MM 44=270

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Orlando

The following
] and ROBERT T.
Florida.

investigation was conducted by Special Agent s i
NISCHWITZ on March 17* 1952 , at Winter Garden and

BASIS ; Att empt to locate and interview l

| nee | | (phonetic) concerning

the beating she allegedly received at the hands of
Klansmen.

4HHS-

his information

I was rein terviewed in a n effort to determine

the present address of! I -ha! -i p-trarl to be I

At this time ! I stated | I -was the fo rmer I

knd that | l lsthe son . of one of I I He stated that

Iwere divorced approximately a year ago and to the best of

his information ! I has remarried within the past four or five weeks. He
stated she married a soldier who was statione d- at the Orlando Ai r Force Base
and that they had gone somewhere in Virginia. | | stated that l I was

definitely one of the two girls who had received a severe beating back in
1944 at the hands of Klansmen in Winter Garden.

He stated he had talked t d k bout this beating and had learned
that there was a man i n Winter Garden whose name he refused to divulge who
was attempting to date l | TM a man is married and was married a t that

time and was attempting to date l I for immoral purposes . 1 I stated

I steadfastly refused to have anything to do with him. A short time
after these attempts had been made by the unknown man , | | and her compan-
ion •> name unknown to | | received their bea tings at the Klan*s

"favorite stomoing grounds” near Black Lake. He stated I had told him

time and was attempting to date| |for immoral purposes. | | stated

I steadfastly refused to have anything to do with him. A short time
after these attempts had been made by the unknown man , | | and her compan
ion j name unknown to | | received their bea tings at the Klan*s

"favorite stomping grounds” near Black Lake. He stated I had told him

there were three businessmen and one doctor, all from Winter Garden, who
had been i nvolved i n the beating and, according to information he had re-
ceived from l I she had seen the face of the doctor. He also stated one
of them told her after the beating, "After this 1*11 bet you go out with a
married man when he asks you”, or words to that effect.

b7C

b7D

RES : egh

MM 44-270

the soldier

stated he was certain he could learn the name of

larried and could learn their destination in Virginia.

He promised to obtain this information and turn it over to Agents as soon
as he received it.

A search was made of the marriage licenses issued for a period
of one year at the Orange County Court Ho use. Orlando but no record was
found for a license having been issued to|
and an unknown man.

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PIS :eg h .

MM k 4-270

b7C

The follo wing investigation was conducted by Special Agents

l and CLYDE P. ADERHOLD on March 14* 1952* at Winter

Garden* Florida.

BASIS:

interviewed inasmuch as it was
rumored he participate d in the beating and shooting of

] negro cab driver* and may have

informat ion regarding BROOKLYN and BEEV3N.

admitted former -KLansman* advisedf

may

have knowledge of terrorist activities in Winter Garden.

-SHHf

I Brantley *s Grocery* 203 Central

Street * whi ch is located! j n the negro quarters of Winter Garden* advised
he has beer]

this store since early fall* 1951

owned bv af

advis ed that prior tof

^ t he store it was

lduring 1941 and was later bought bv I

and then bought from

from idiom

bought it during the fall of 1951

He advised f I who is presently employed by the

General Electric. Company in Schenec tady* Hew Yo rk* left Winter Garden seme-
time during mid-fall, 1950 « l~ I advised that I I prior to his de-

parture from Winter Garden was more or less ! bumming around town*?, unem-
ployed and was usually drinking and playing poker and that at one time sev-
eral years ago| I was *»sent away” temporarily because he was an alco-

holic.

| I advised .that | |_

obtained a divorce from | ~\ howev er* she has retained the name |

and is presently employed as l I for the First National Bank of Winter •

Garden.

He advised that

during 1950 owned a 1936

Ford and sometime - during the spring or summer of 1950 purchased a 1946 Ford

fromf

ter Garden which he later s old during

e after] | agreed to

e fell of 1950

$30.00

PLS:egh
MM 44-270

b7C

and take over the payments because
on the car.

✓

■was unable to make the payments

could furnish no further information regarding
this 1946 For d in relation to the description; however , he did remember
tha t I sold the- car shortly before leaving Winter Garden during the

fall of 1950.

He denied being at the present time or at any time 'a. member of
the Klan and ’Said he -was never approached to join the Klan. He claimed
he did not know the names of any persons who were connected w ith the Klan .
He denied ever selling bolita; however, he said he understood ! I

was a bolita oper ator in the Winter Garden area and he helieved l

Iwas probably, formerly engaged in bolita sales.

stated he never knew[

lp e rsonally

although he had seen hj.m numerp us times and knew who he was. He stated

had purchased a pack or two of cigar ettes

He was of the opinion I

that on a few occasion

at Brantley* s Grocery in the negro quarters,
was more or less a drifter and not a permanent resident' of Winter Garden.

He deni ed participating in the beating and shooting of| __

or ! ~1 and claimed he had no information as to who committed these
acts. The only information he had concerning these matters was hearsay and •
^street talk”.

| was questioned concerning his whereabouts on the even-
ing of January 12, 1952 and after he determined that January 12 was Saturday
he advised he was in his store, that every Saturday evening he works until
9:00, 10:00 or 11:00 o*clock. He stated it is the custom for his wife and
himself to stop by Mrs. HARODD’s cafe after closing the store to get some-
thing to eat and from there they usually go home as Uuw have to open the
store at S:C0 A. M. on Sunday.

He emphatically denied any participation in loc al tei^o« yq-h

activ ities in Winter Garden, particularly in reference to| ^ t — r j an ^l
| and said he had never seen any group of people or any individual tak

ing a negro or white person out to beat.

but was not R uff-i cientlv familiar

with his activities to comment on them and he understood lawns a

He advised he knew!

recent model General Motors blue body, yellow top pick-up truck and a
1950 Mercury dark green sedan.

b7C

PISiegh
MI 44-270

Concerning I p aid he has heard both good

and bad about him and that he personally does nob have any knowledge that
I has been mixed up in any local beatings and terrorist activities and
does not know whe ther or not he is a Elan member; however, he is reason-
ably sure | | sells liquor illegally after hours in the negro quarters

of Winter Garden , usually early Sunday morning, and that approximately
three months ago I I wa s deputised, by Winter Garden Police Chief

MAIMED MAM, during which time he, I I purchased illegal liquor

after hours in the negro quarters, which information h e turned oy er to
MAIMED MA M; however, no thing was ever done about , it, | tie is

quite sure | I buys his liquor from l at Winter Garden at

a slight discount and sells this liquor for anywhere from a small profit

to double the usual price for liquor at the negro quarters in various negro
juke joints.

I—. I reiterated that he did not know whether I I

are members of the Klan, nor did he have any information concern-
ing terrorist activities on their part in Winter Garden or elsewhere.

He advised that during the last year and a half he has owned
the following automobiles:

1950 blue Mercury sedan, approximately 3 months

1951 light green Mercury two-door, approximately two months
1949 Chevrolet pick-up truck, approximately 3 months

1949 CGLdsmobile sedan, approximately 3 months to the present.

' |admitted owning three shotguns, one being a .410, as

well as a German Luger pistol. He was rather hazy as to how he came into
possession of these weapons but did state he bought the German Luger in
the negro quarters, but. claimed he did not remember from whom he bought it.
He stated the Luger was not registered and he did not have a permit to
carry it; however, he usually kept it in the glove compartment of his car.
He claimed he believed this to be legal as he carried large sums of money
to the bank several times durine the week.

BELVIN and/ or EAHL «T. BROOKLYN. Photographs of BROOmM and KRTLVTN wer e
exhibited tol l and it was pointed out to. him that I I

I hart a rfari +.-hpH knowing them for many years; however J |

| said he was willing to take a lie detector test to prove he does

not know either and that everything he had told the interviewing Agents was

the truth and he had nothing to hide.

> - 60 —

He emphatically denied knowing or ever hearing of TILLMAN H.

however.

m 44-270

ptated he never heard of HAFfflY T

after EQ0HE f s home 'was bombed*

until

He was photographed and the following background information
and physical description was obtained through interview and observation

Address

Birth_date

PLS : egh
EM A4-270

Military record
Arrest record

b7C

It is noted that MAZNABD MflM. Chief of Police , who is .considered
reliable, previously advised Agents that ! | who was deputized

at his own request to clean up general illegal activities in the Minter
Garden negro quarters, after operating for a considerable period of time
was unable to report any violations of local laws and therefore MAW took
away his badge and advised him his services were no longer desired.

* f
i

RES:egh
MM 44-270

Florida

iThe following investigation was conducted by Special Agents
land ROBERT To NISCHWITZ on March 17s 1952s at Winter Garden

BASIS

colored cab drivers interviewed

inasmuch as he reportedly was with[

before the latter *s beati ng and sho oting

on January 12s 1952s at which time ! I sup-

posedly cursed a white man.

colored cab driver fori

both

of whom reside in the colored quarters of Winter Gardens claimed he was

sick the day the incident
stated he had heard that

et. for th above supposedly occurred

was trying to back into a parking space

in Winter Garden w hen his wa y was blocked by another car driven by a white
man. Accordi ng to | I this occured January 5. 1952s.the Saturday be-

fore | | was beaten and shot* He said | | never said anything to

him about the incident and that he had only heard of it through street talk
He stated he also believed I I had in the cab one or two passengers

but that he never learned the identity of these passengers# In addition

noted he had been sick the following Saturdays on which date

was beaten and shot and t!

been usin gl

believed that I

had been working in his place and had
cab when the beating and shooting occurred. He

fromf

of the cabSs might have learned something

concerning this incident which occurred on January 5> 1952.

stated

Janu ary 5

1952 J

1952, to him

statedl

had never men tioned th e incident of

Concerning the shooting ofl I on January 12?

]had told him he could identify two of the white
men who had attacked him but he did not know their names. In addition?

claimed he had seen one of the white men before. He

trouble originated in Quincy? Florida? as

] stated [

was of fths opinionT

had recently arrived in Winter Garden from Quincy

It should be noted that during the entire interview!

]wa

cts

very evasive and refused to answer su ch questions as who he believed re
sponsible for the beating ofl I and who in Winter Garden might have

information concerning this incident.

CPAtegh
M 44-270

b7C

The f ollowing investigati on -wag conducted by Special Agents GLIDE
P. ADERHGLD and | |on March 13? 1952? at Winter Garden,

Florida.

BASIS

interviewed for information con*

cerning beating and shooting off

at Winter Garden on J,

Confidential Informant
had information concerning this crime.

12. 1 95 2 * According to
[was supposed to have

Florida, and residing at,

that he had heard rumors that!

employed at the Mn ute Maid Plant at Plymouth,

Winteiy Garden, ‘ Florida, stated

ROETOUDGER and |

had beate n and shot l I on the night of January 12, 1952*

I said he had no positive information to this effect a nd this infor

mation was ^street talk”
wanted to stojf
taxi business*
in his taxi.

According to rumors [ | said_ —

I from driving a t yri. beca use he was hurting!

had

explained that

also hauled colored people

stated he had been' acquainted with
for about four or five years and to the best of his memory this
was the first time he had ever h eard of their being connected with any
terrorist a ctivit y es « l \ stated he had received most of this infor-

mation from

and

that

resided at Winter Garden

stated he was ngt a member of the Ku Klux KTgn
nothing about the terrorist activities in that

JPS ; egh
MM 44-270

b7C

The • following investigation was conducted by Special Agents JAMES
and FRANK F. MEECH on March 5 and 6, 1952* at Sanford* Florida.

BASIS: Investigation was conducted i n order to obtain

additional information concerning thel

.* : j x, . I

incident .

-SHse-

1 Chief Deputy Sheriff* Seminole County* made

available what ever files wh ich were in. .existence in th e Sheriff »s Office
concerning thel I incident and the beating of

In the file is a letter dated January 5* 1951* addressed to Governor FULLER
WARREN of Tallahassee, Florida, signed by G. R. FARNHAM of Route 2* Box
234* Sanford, Florida, in which Mr. FAHNHAM who was 67 years of age com-
plained that on December 28* 1950, he was bushwhacked by two men* one of
whom held a shotgun on him while the other one gave him an unmerciful beat-
ing. He stated he had been given 24 hours to move after this beating and
complained about not receiving any cooperation or protection from the Sher-
iff ? s Office or the police. This letter had been forwarded by the Governor * s
Office, Tallahassee, to the Sheriff at Sanford with a small short cover

letter. Mr

advised that

lof

rested for assault in beating
ruary 5, 1951, in which Sheriff I

who is the

who employed GEORGE FAHNHAM) was ar
In the file is a letter dated Feb-

thatf

I of Sanford advised the Governor
a white man, had been arrested December 29* 1950* charged

wdth assault and battery on FAENHAM and was out on a $100.00 bond after
being arraigned before the County Judge*s Court. Subsequently LLOYD HATCH
WjSs sentenced in County Court, Sanford, on April 5* 1951* to pay a fine of
$50.00 and costs on the assault and battery charge. The inves tigating and
arresting officer was former Deputy Sheriff |

In th e Sheriff *s fU -g ao Sanford was a copy of a letter which had
been written by I I to Governor FULLER WARREN on July 15, 1951* in

which l | n ed of the lack of law enforcement and protection

•in Sanford. He related in the letter that last August 24 (1950) early in
the night &en stopped his truck about a quarter of a mile from his res-
ident* took him by. force — left his wife alone in the swamp — after a six or
seven mile ride he -was severely beaten with a strap and left in the woods

JPSjegh
MM 44-270

b7C

several miles from anyone *s house and told to leave the county in 24 hours*
In this letter ! I complained that the previous Monday night, July

1 , 1951s his house had been burned to the ground* He explained he had left
his home to fish at 3:45 P.M., stayed away all night and on returning 10 : 30
A.M. th e next day found his house burned to the gr ound* This copy of l

l letter had been forwarded to Sheriff f | at Sanford with a- request
for an expla nation* By letter dated Sept embe£_ll , 1951? addressed to Mr.

I of the Governor’s Staff Sheriff ! I stated that the incident
involved a family feud between two brothers who lived on Lake Jessup six
miles south of Sanford.

I Florida, the former

Deputy Sheriff at Sanford who is presently campaigning for the Sheriff’s
office was interviewed concerning his knowledge of E ARL BROOKLYN and his
associates or relatives, concerning the ! \ incident and also con-

cerning the allegation that a'i.deputy sheriff from Seminole County had been
conducting in vestigation at Apopka, Florida, and Winter Garden, Florida,
concerning the | l incident.

I advised that he conducted an investigation of the

| incident , made no report and kept no notes* He and Sheriff )

■worked on it the night of the incident and the next day, particularly in
the - vicinity of Lake Jessup and Lake ^ary* He insisted that he had never
been over in the Apopka or Winter Gar den area in the course of this investi-

gation* He advised that I H in dicated to hdm .that| |knew

two of the men who beat him* As far as I I could recall neither of

the t wo men w ere from Winter Garden or Apopka but he does not renal 1 ^ whether
or not| (actually told him the names of these two men . I I advised

he was not acquainted' with EARL BROOKLYN but did «enow there was a BROOKLYN
family living on Lake Mary, one of the young men in the family being a pro-
fessional pitcher for the Cocoa baseball team and . h is father being employed
in a grove near Lake Mary. When questi oned about a I I

advised he knew him, t hat he resided on I I leading fro m. Sanford

to Or lando across froml I was in* the I I

I business •wit h! I l had

come from We*st Orange County from somewhere in the area of Apopka in 1931
or 1932 to reside in the Sanford area. The family and their associates
were trmrhl -i ns fishermen who -were frequently en gaged in bootlegg ing in fish.

I was the driver of the car in whic h l and others

were lading when they were run out of the National Forest near Ocala for
illegal deer huntin g. I lis supposed to have p aid a f ine at

Ocala. According to| | T married|

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JPS ; egh

MM 44-270

believed that it might possibly

who was the former! I who went to Apopka

and Wint er Garden to investigate the! lincident . However

have been!

is related to LLOYD HATCH

on the

Lubchahattchee (phonetic) Ranch on Cheney Highway near the St. Johns River
and Taylor Creek.

of Sanford, Florida, was reinterviewed and advised

that ^ the two men that he could positively identify in his beating were

and FLOYD H ESTER. HESTER was sent up to Raiford for stealing

some time ago and has a curved scar on the side

cattle with[
of his face.

He further related it wasn*t until after the beating that he saw
this FLOYE^ESTER in the pool room next to Joe.* s Smoke House, recognized
him as one of the men >410 had been involved in the be ating and inqu ired
about him. HESTER works at the Gulf Gas Station with| ^and is

described as follows:

Age

“Height

Weight

Hair

150

brown

At one time he operated a gambling joint which ,was clo sed up by
the sheriff. He believed that an individual named | | migh t, have

been one of the individuals involved in the beating and 1 might have been
the one who had a big mahogany stick ‘or blackjack which he used to beat
him. He believes that there were six mhite men in the group which stood
around him as he received his beating and there might have been one or more
in the cars at the time. He never did see the man who was guarding his
wife. Again he stated that all were fairly young and slight in build ex-
cept one. On the r ight of the be ating after the beating he took a trip
over to Apopka with ! I who was then Deputy Sheriff and went to

the Orange County Deputy Sheriff in Apopka and to the Apopka Police to see
if he could identify and locate one of the cars involved in his beating.

One of the cars was a light grey or green : v -;r Chevrolet or Plymouth, hav-
perpen dicular red stripes running down between the chrome of the radiator.

I believed that the gar might have gone over toward Apopka and thought
one of the individuals mig ht have^eoms f rom Apopka', (it should be noted
that former Deputy Sheriff I has been interviewed and denied

ever oonduoting investigation into thi«- incident in Apopka or Winter Garden.)

(

JPSsegh

MM 44-270

■bo
hi C

After he and | | contacted the Deputy

Orange County at Apopka the three of them travelled around
cars parked outside most of the Juke joints near Apopka
time. At no time did they go over to the Winter Garden

to Sanford about 1:00 A.M. after having been out in the Apopka area from
about 10:30 P.M.

also believed that it was possible that one[

wbe was now in the N aval Air Station at Green Cove Springs and is

]might have been involved in the beating because

he had a histo ry of being invo lved in such violence about fifteen or twenty

years ago when!
spoke to Sheriff!

had been beaten. At the time[

|shortly,, after his beatin g he askejU-the s heriff to
call the Naval Air Station to find out whether ! ] was on duty

the re but the sh eriff never made the requested n ail . HATCH -was at

the | | home on the afternoon of the day tha t! I received

his beating and it was not until 11:00 P.M. that the HATCH family returned
home j 1 who operates the Gulf Station ' at Park and Second Street

in Sanford and is an ex-game warde n and Serseant l

place on Lake Jessup the night that|

were at LLOYD HATCH * s
received his beating » When

told the sheriff it was the Ku KLux KLan who beat him Sheriff

'swore up and down" that it was not done by the KLan

The ph otographs of s uspects and other KLansmen available to date
were exhibited t « j | but he was unable to identify any photograph

as b eing that of a person involved in the beating. ‘ He believed that he had
seen| |at a gathering at| Iplace at one time.

|escorted the interviewing Agents to the approximate

location where he received his beating. The dirt road to which he was
driven after being taken from his car and his wife is located one mile
from Highway 17-92* the junction of which roads is two miles from Lake
Mary. He explained that when he was carried off he was still pretty groggy
from being struck on the head. He was taken out into a clearing off the
dirt road about 100 feet from the road, had most of his clothes torn off

4 M

and was beaten by three men who took turns wielding a wide strap. He had
to walk all the way to Five Points before he was able to receive any assist
ance after this beating. All this time his wife had been trying unsuccess-
fully to obtain assistance from' the Sheriff ?s Office in Sanford.

JPSjegh

Mtt 44-270

named

home.

further related that a fire insurance investigator
from Jacksonville, Florida, inv estigated the burning of his
investigator used a preta-xt <*«.n tc| ~| home in order

to obtain the address of

■who

HATCHES during

| | viewed the photographs

of suspects and various KLansmen presently available but was unable t o
identify any of them as being- in the group which beat| |

MM 44-270

The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents
Hand FRANK F. MEECH on March 10, 1952, at Sanford, Florida

BASIS: II/DYD HATCH interviewed inasmuch as j ' be

I victim of a beating and arson of his home, bl

had considerable difficulty with HATCH and believed
HATCH had direct, knowledge of the beating and arson.

It was learned through a, confidential source that
HATCH was supposed to be the alibi for suspect J.B.

JOMSON on Christmas day, 1951* HATCH was a member
of the Orlando KLavern of the Association of Georgia
KLans and old associate of suspect EARL J. BROOKLYN .

LLOYD HATCH was interviewed at his home located on the west end
• of Lake Jessup, approximately six miles south of Sanford, Florida. His
mailing address is Post Office Box 1163* He advised he has been a member
of the Orlando Klavern of the Ku Klu x Klan for about o ne year. He i admitted
the Exalted Cyclops of his Klavern is

years and has known!

stated he has known EARL J. BROOKLYN for more than ten

and has been closely associated with him

practically all his life. He stated he did not remember who recruited him
into the Klan and he has not been a member in regular attendance since he
joined.

He is personally acquainted with JAMES B. JOHNSON,

has been friends with these individuals for a number of years and frequently
visits in their homes.

Concerning the beating of! he s tated he recalled ar-
riving home late one evening and seein g! I truck parked on the

dirt road leading to Lake Jessup with the lights burning. At the same time
he saw an automobile approaching him with a blinking red light and recalled
remarking to his wife that someone must be sick as it look ed like an ambu-
lance approaching. He stated he pulled up and stopped and ] |

a Deputy Sheriff of Seminole Co unty, approac hed ‘ him and told him he wanted
him for questioning inasmuch as | | had been .taken out in the woods

TElVFFM: egh
MM 44-270

•and beaten. • HATCH stated he observed that night and fmm his

he did not believe lie had been beaten and he showed no visible sign
a beati ng. HATCH said he believed the beating was merely a figment

actions

i of

Concerning the burning of| house, HATCH deni ed any knowledge

whatsoever <?£ the incident. Concerning his association with | | he said

he and| |had been friends for a number of year s but bad »>f alien out”

over some fishing matter. Later he learned ! I was e ndeavoring to b uy

the land where HATCHES fishing camp was located from one who

was owner at that time* In regard to the land on which his fn ahi ng camp

is located HATCH stated it previou sly belonged to his grandfather and

thereafter came into possession of | | Upon le*v mving that I

was endeavoring to buy the place from under Mm he contacted !
and agreed .to buy the lan d for $500.00. He stated he thereafter learned
that| | again contacted ! 1 and tried to buy the place by rais-

ing the priee offered by HATCH but HATCH succeeded in purchasing the H a n d
at the first figure. >

1 He stated since that time he has had nothing to do with

HATCH denied having any knowledge whatsoever of’ ary other ter-
rorist activities in the Orlando area.

Specifically concerning EARL J. BROOKLYN, HATCH stated he did :
know anything about BROOKLYN engaging in terrorist .activities, although

knew BROOKLYN to be a member of the KLan.

Concerning HARRS' T. MOORE, HATCH denied knowing anything about
the case and stated the first time he ever heard of MOORE was the day
after Christmas when he returned home from Tavares and heard an announce'
ment over the radio.

Regarding his personal activitie s on Chris tmas Dav. he stated

he and | | along with !

■ I I arose ATvrrpri m af -el y 9^00 A.M. He stated )

age | and! I age I ~1 were visiting the HATCH home and were

present Christmas morning . On Christmas Eve he had slaughtered a hog for
a barbecue to be held at his home Christmas Day. At approximately 9:30 A.M.
he started the fire to barbecue th e meat and was in the process of prepar-
ing the barbecue when his neighbor J I arrived at about 11:00

- 71 -

MM 44-270

♦

to assist him. As "well as he can recalls a short time later

arrived and assisted in the barbecue. According to HATCH, guests began to
arrive at approximately 1:00 and a crowd of approximately 25 people as-
sembled at his fishing camp to take part in the barbecue. Regarding the
guests, as well as he can recall the following persons were present:

Sherman

Company in Sanford

as
her

Two sailors o one of whom wasl
who was accompanied by

land t he other known

and later married

who live near Mobley »s Trailer Court on the San-

ford Highway.

I land

of Daytona Beach: p .s

in constru ction work and since the barbecue he and his wife have separated
and| ~| was last hoard of in Tampa, Florida

ks engaged

Orlando

Tbo constable from Oviedo whose name HATCH can not recall.

J. B. JOHNSON and his family from Colonialtown, a section of

HATCH stated he was unable to recall any of the other persons

present .

When questioned as to whether EARL J. BROOKLYN attended the bar-
becue, HATCH hesitated and said he did not remember, later stating he was
sure BROOKLYN was not there.

He further advised that the group assembled at his residence,
remained there until about 8; 00 P.M . when they began to leave. He recalls

that shortly after aimdownl lanri Tri g -Parrn 1 ir rtapayrhoHj taking with

them| T who was going to the

home to spend a few days with the

, i children» According to

land his family were sane of the last to leave the barbecue

the

| , and his family being the last , He and his -wife accompanied

| to their home tdiere they spent the remainder of Christmas night
eating and linking at the| [residence until approximately 11:30 when

they returned home

In regard t o other persons in vited to the barbecue HATCH stated
he recalls he invited | I but I |was unable to attend as

he had to go on a trip to Lakeland.

L: J

TEM/FFM: egh

44-270

Concerning the information previously fnrni shed thatl

and LLOYD HATCH had heaten| [caretaker J I TT&TP.ff

admitted he personally had given! l a beating. He said the beating

■was pred icated up on $he fact l I shot a couple of H ATCH *s do gs. He ap-
proached | l asking if he had shot the dogs to which| | replied 3

n No, I have not shot your dogs and you get out of here.” HATCH then beat
l and was subsequently arrested and charged -with assault and battery
in Seminole Co unty;, for whi ch he -was sentenc ed to a fine of $50.00 and costs
He denied that held a shotgun oin l L hile he beat

him. ^ ^

The following is a description of LLOYD HATCH (full name) as
obtained from observation and interview:

Name LLOYSHHATCHs aka Loyd^Eatch

Address Route 2> P.0« Box 1163 s Sanford.

Florida

_4ge.

Weight

Hair

JSyes

Scars and marks

Occupation

Employer
Wife •

Daughter

Military service

Father

Sister

Education

Arrest record

_April_2$,j_1913 —

.g^dnol e-j County . F lorida

5 ? 8p

185

light brown, bald -a. top
blue-grey

vertical lg” cut scar on
bridge of nose between eyebrows?
jagged 1 ” cut scar front right
side of chin;

face appears pock-marked due to
cuts received in auto accident
welder and fisherman

Olson Cornorffi-T on . nsw TteT.gr.rlj p

employed

shipping department, Florida Fash:

none

FRANK

Tavares , Florida 5 violation game
laws— illegal fishings presently
under bond* Admits L arrests for

~ 73 -

• +

m 44-270

Automobiles owned 1950 Henry J, bronz e-mar oon 9 1952

Florida tag 17D-102 ;

Model A Ford truck s painted yellow
•with orange fenders s 1952 Florida

tag 17D-231.

Photographs in various poses were voluntarily furnished by
LDOn) HATCH.

PCC/CPAiegh

EM 44-270 b 6

b7C

The following investigation was conducted, by Special Agents PRUE

C. GLIMKSCAItES and CLYDE P« ADERHOLD on February 10* 1952* at Winter Garden*
Florida*

BASIS ; In formation furnished by Deputy Sheriff

NA. Orange Coun ty Sheriff *s Office* tnaE
Patrolman | of the Winter Garden Police

Department might furnish inf o rma fri nn rfiwrdinu nn-

known individuals who beat and shot l ~l at

Winter Garden approximately two years ago*

Patrolmar

of the Winter Garden Police Department

advised that approxi m ately two years ago he put a negro bo y named

into the Winter Garden City Jail at the request off
explained that on the dav l I was put in .jail I

had

been contacted b y Patrolm an WTLLTE TTOT.CH. no w deceased, and WRLQH tol d him
|had caught|~ | who worked in| I bar-

ber shop stealing his pistol. | |said this was approximately 5:30 P.M.,

exact date unknown, and that he telephoned Chie f of Police MAYNARD MANN and
asked if it would b e satisfactory f nr him to y ut l Hn jail at the re-
quest of I I He was told thatl I could obtain a warrant for

took

}then went to

lthe followi ng day*

Hinto custody and placed him in the City Jail.

barber shop and

At approximately 9:30 P.M. the same day

and req uested that

not to prosecutel

At the time |

came to

be released inasmuch as he had decided

Jcontacted himj

he was checking doors in the business section of Winter Garden and con
tinued around t he block. Later he went to the iail tn r^l oa.se |

Isaid

No on e was with[

at the time he reqUeste'

stated further that he went downstairs at the city hall where the

jail is located and released

|from a cell* He told[

not going to be prosecuted and could go home* He did not follow

e was

out of the jail as he was checking the plumbing in jail cells, a routine
practice on instructions of the Chief of Police.

- 75 -

PCC/CPAsegh
MM 44-270

did not know anything hid happened t

after he left

the jail until the following morning* He said that at the time someone
whose identity he could not recall had told Mm a group of white men had
taken I I out to the woods and shot and beaten him* He also advised

that during the time he was walking toward the jail and immediately after
leaving the jail he saw no suspiciou s person s and that the only person who
had contacted Mm regarding

had beenf

- 76 -

RTN:egh
MM 44-270

The fo!
T. N3SCHWITZ and
Florida, o

l ‘was conducted by Special Agents ROBERT
March 12 a 1952i« at Winter Gardens

BASIS: |

employed by[
driver.

intervie-wed as he was f ormerly

as taxi

I who is presently employed by Mac*s Service St ations

West Plant A venue, stated he h ad formerly -wo rked fori l as a

and thereafter for|

] as a

He stated he is not and has never been a member o f any of th e
various Klaverns of the KLan in Orange County or elsewhere . I I stated

he knew no KLan members.

Concerning

he sta ted he h as never had any trouble

with, him and knows of no trouble in which] has been involved although

he has heard through community talk that[
along with.

His comments concerning

is sometimes hard to get

were of a similar nat

He recalled there was some difficulty at the tlraef

] and thatl

the' present [

smxar natvurs
I was courting^

| had b een seve rely beaten

ms con-=

about that time. He was unable to state, however, whether
nected with this beating. He did not know who was responsible for the
beating.

stated he had never hea rd anything about

anything to do wi th narcot ics except thatl

having

had told him that

jwas ^dabbling in dope?f.

He stated’ one

. * "I ■ lx" ^ who has

refephone Company at Winter Garden* was a former close friend of|

broke off with I
According to[

1 r>r’p..qeut.1 l y residing in Fort Pierce or

employed by the Florida

Hfaut

concerning the beatang of

at the time of th e above mentioned beating of I

I is ang ry at| |and may furnish information

- 77 -

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CPA: egh
M 4V270

b7C

The f ollowing inve st igat i on was conducted by Special Agents CLIDE
P. ADEREOLD and | I on March 12, 1952, at Winter Garden,

Florida.

BASIS: I [ interviewed for infor ma-
tion he might hav e concerning the beating of l I

I I li s reported to have seen the LaSalle

aufc mobile used in this beating.

' \

Florida, employed at

the Ison Service Station, Win ter Garden-. Florida, advised he had been liv-
ing in Ocoee since about 1941 . 1 I stated he has never been a member

of the Ku KLux KLan and knows nothing concerning its acti vities i n the
Winter Ga rden area. Hp advised he knew' nothing about thd lease ex-

oept what

the men who beat him.

told him , about a n automo bile that had been used by

recalled! Itnld hint these men had

ridden in a yellow two-door LaSalle automobile J

Jasked him to be

on the lookout for this car and that if he saw such a car he was to im-
mediately advise

]reaembered that approximately one month after!

told him this he saw a yellow LaSalle drive past the Ison Service Station.

He said there were three men in this car but he did not think to get the
license number. He did not know the men in the car. H e said he immediately
advised!" lof this and he did not know whatl | had done about it..

i i could give no information concerning

and stated he only fetiew about it from the newspapers.

case

He was spe cifically questioned as to whether or not he had ever
driven f I to Orlando, Florida, to obser ve a green TaSalia auto-
mobile parke d behind the Holler Chevrolet Company J s tated he -had

never d riven ! I to any place at any time and that he had not taken

I to Orlando for that purpo se . He also stated he knew nothing con-
cerning a Florida license number| | supposedly checked with the Florida

Highway Patrol. •

•

, It

FEMsegh

m 44=270

BASIS: For record purposes information received

from T=9,

set out

b7D

The substance of information received from Confidential Informant
T-9 5 of known reliability , covering Eu ICLux Klan activities in Ap opka , '
Florida. is- that on December 25, 1951 - 1 " 1 and

I both of \ Apopka, Florida, were dis~

covered by persons unknown attempting to bomb a negro cafe and beer garden
called *»Iittle Harlem** in the negro section of Apopka 5 further, that little
Harlem is owned and operated by a white couple who were allegedly trying to
serve both white and colored p atrons in the establishment# The in formant
stated both ! I were known members of the KL an, thatl I

moved to Apopka from Miami, Florida, about five years ago. I I a resi-

dent of Apopka for many years, was involved in a Ku Klux Klan mob beating
and killing of a .negro man near Tampa, Florida, in the early 1940s. In
this regard ! I of Apopka, formerly of Clarcona, Florida, was

tried and, acquitted of the murder charge because of unsufficient evidence.

h7C

b7D

Concerning the above information it was learned in the conduct
of the investigation of instant case that an attempt had been made to blow
up the Little Harlem Cafe, located in the negro quarters at Apopka, Florida.
Subsequent investig ation determined that little Harlem was owned bv l

i and that an actual attempt had been made to blow up the

_ ecember 20,. 1951 j hy turning on the gas jets on the stove

and lighting a candle which was placed on the floor with the apparent pur-
pose in mind of igniting the gase when the building became sufficiently
filled to cause an explosion.

Investigation does not substantiate the in formation set forth by
the informant to the ef f e c t tha t I I wer e discovered attempt'

as far as is known, doe s not figure in this

Iwas supposed to have

ing to bomb the cafe,
incident in ary way. However,
made a gta-hfima rrh in fl-i,avern in Apopka to the effect th at the place would

be blown up if ! I did not get out of

business there.

'"s

PPM: egh
MM 44-270

b7C

| | is a member of the Southern Knights of

the Ku ICLux Kl an in Apo pka . No information has been developed to date

indicating that l l is now or ever has been a member of the Klan.

It is pointed out that no i nformation has been developed in in-
stant case to the. effect that l I was involved in the killing of a negro

man near Tampa in the early 1940s; however, there is some indication that

| was involved in some manner in' this killing.

✓

JPSjegh
MM 44-270

V. MIS CELLAlffiOUS

The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents
JAMES P. SHANNON and FRANK F. MEECH on March 7 = 19 52*

BASIS: Inasmuch as it is possible that persons who

committed instant crime might have used as an escape
route the Mims-Sanford Road, the bridgetender of the
bridge over the St. Johns River was interviewed.

•SBftt

CHARLES C. SINGLEZTARHI , 89 years of age, the bridgetender for
many years until about eight months ago of the wooden bridge over the St.
Johns River on the Mims-Sanford Road advised he was not at the bridge where
he customarily resides but was in Palm Beach over the Christmas holidays,

1951*

I I who have a fish

camp on the St. Johns River adjacent to the above described bridge were
interviewed concerning any unusual occurrences or incident Christmas night,
1951 but were unable to furnish any information of interest to this in-
vestigation.

RES ; egh
Mi 44“ 270

b7C

The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents

and ROBERT To NISCHWITZ on March IS, 1952, at Titusville, Florida*

BASIS: I H reinter>viewad concerning de~

tails of car seen by him near the victims * home
shortly after 9:00 P«M., December 25, 1951, and its

white occupant •

On reinterview

] repeated his original statements

to the effect he had seen a car parked on the east side of the Old Dixie
Highway directly in front of victim MOORE*s house a few minutes after 9:00
P.M. , December 25, 1951 • He stated that as he approached the car, the oc~
cupant turned on the bright lights whioh blinded him. He immediately blinked
his lights and the car f s bright lights were turned out and the parking lights
.turned on» At the same time the oar started moving in a northerly direction
along the Old Dixie Highway* At the time he passed the car at a point ap-
proximately 25 to 30 yards north of the line running direotly east from ,
MQ0KE? ; s house, he wa s able to observe only one white man in the car. Con-
cerning the speed of l I car he stated he estimated he was

travelling between twenty and twenty-five miles an hour at the time. He
emphasized he was very uncertain as to this speed and believed he might have
been going even slower because of the ground fog and poor visibility. He
was certain, however, that the occupant of the other car was a white man.

He was unable to recall any features of this individual or any peculiarities
about him. He stated to the best of his recollection the car was a Ford
of a late model, possibly a 'four-door sedan, dark in color. He was unable
to recall any further details concerning this car.

]wa

s directly - questioned about the visibility and the

blinding effect the car*s lights had had on him and his subsequ ent ability
to recognize the occupant of the car as a white man. | stated the ‘

' only thing he could recall was that the lights first blinded him, causing
him to blink his lights and that the bright lights had subsequently been
turned off and the parking lights turned on on the other car. He stated this
action on the part of the other driver in all probability had enabled him
to see the occupant of the car more clearly so that he could determine that
the occupant was a white man.

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EMPregh
MM 44-270

b7C

following investigation -was conducted by ;
»n February 22 and 25, 1952 , at Clearwater

BASIS:

of the

;ressive Voters League at Clearwater, interviewed
any information he might have regarding

\ / X

, | advised he has known victim

HARRY - T o MOORE as Executive Secretary Of the MAA.CP and also as Executive
Secretary of the Progressive Voters. League,

I of the Progressive Voters League from 1946
to 1950; however, in the spring of 1950 he leffc the Progressive Voters

League . due to a split over the SMATHERS-PEPPER Senatorial campaign. Afc

that time the Progressive Voters League desired to endorse PEPPER and l
stated it was his belief the League should endorse no candidate but merely
strive to get out the vote. He stated there was no hard feeling over his
split from t he League, I ~l the Florida State Voter's League and

is presently | I of that group, the purpose of which is to get out

the vote and not to endorse any candidate.

He stated he has not seen MOORE since the summer of 1949 during

which time] | was teaching at Bethune-Cookman Collage at Daytona

Beach, ELorida, when MOORE came to the college to visit his daughter who
was a teacher there.

stated he is not. a member of the NAACP although he is a
’ormer member but has not been active for the past six years and is not . in
good standing as far as his dues ar*e concerned. He stated he has no idea
who may have committed the crime resulting in HARRY - T. MOORE* s death. He
worked closely with MOORE from 1946 to 1950 but has had no association
with him since that time. Re stated he holds a very high regard for
and has never heard of any threats having been made against MOORE., nor

did MOORE ever express any concern in his presence for his safety. [

stated that i t any Infoxination comes to his attention xh$ch vjoold aid in

this ease he would furnish same to the FBI.

- 04 -

RESsegh
MM 44-270

In this connection it should be noted that has been most

cooperative on the occasions of both interviews:, and when ori ginally ques-
tioned ab out his having seen a car in the vicinity of the MOORE house,

1 immediately came forward with the statement that he had positively
seen the car and made every effort to determine the exact time he had seen
the car.

- 83 -

^ P-

PLSiegh
M 44-270

b7C

The following investigation tv^s conducted by Special Agent
Ion March 17? 1952# at Orlando# Florida®

BASJS ^ | advised that during the

time the Florida Elan in Orlando "was operating it
arranged for the Orange County Circuit Court at
Orlando to. issue a charter to it for the Century
Club -which -was to hold title to the clubhouse and
other property of the KLan.

■

Book Sj page 275# Orange County Incorporation and limited Part-
nership Records# on file in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court#
Orange County Court House# reflects a proposed charter of the Century Club
filed in the Office of the Circuit Court of Orange County on February 7#

1944®

The name of the corporation was described as the Century Club
which -was to be located in Orange County# Florida.

The general nature and object of this corporation, was to promote
good fellowship between the members. '

Qualification of members was that they be upright, true# loyal#
native-born American citizens of good morals and decent habits.

perpetual •

The term for which this corporation was to exist was listed as

The names and residences of the subscribers were listed as

follows

irlando

Orlando

irlando

Orlando

- 85 -

PLS:egh

mu 4-270

The affairs of the corporation •were to be managed by a Board of •
Directors of ncrfc less than three or more than seven members who -were to
be elected annually on the first Monday in January of each year.

The Directors were to have the right to elect a president and
secretary to act for the corporation in the business of the execution of
its contracts .

The Directors were listed as follows:

J. N. COX

was to act as president and J. N, C

secretary. Both of these men were to manage all the affairs of the
ation until the first election or appointment under the charter.

act as
eorpor

The by-lav® of the corporation were to be made, altered or re-
pealed by a vote of membership at any regular or called meeting of the
corporation.

The highest amount of indebtedness to which the corporation was
to indebt itself was $>50 , 000.00 and was never to be greater than two-thirds
of the value of the property of the corporation.

The amount in value in real estate to which the corporation could
hold subject to approval of the Circuit Judge was listed as $20,000.00.

■

| who was listed as a subscriber to the foregoing

charter acknowledged that the executed instrument was for the purpose stated
therein which was notarized January 20, 19A4»

| | also swore before a Notary Public on the same

date that the above mentioned charter was intended in good faith to carry
out the purposes and objects therein set forth.

‘ \

b7C

m 44-270

March 10# 1952# at

The foil faring investigation -was conducted by Special Agents

FRANK F. MPTEOH end J AMBS P. SHANNON on January 17 and

Florida*

BASIS: SIMON SIflTMANNING reinterviewed to obtain
a signed statement ns to his KLan membership# crim-
inal record and oath in federal employment#

b7C

On January 17# 1952, MANNING was interviewed at the Orlando
Resident Agency by Special Agents MEECH and SHANNON# at which time he ad-
vised that EARL J. BROOKLYN had approached him four or five years- ago# in
1947 or 194S# and asked him to join the Ku Kline KLan. It is to be noted
that at this time there was only known to be in existence one KLavern of
the KLan# that covering the territory of Orlando-Winter Garden. It is also
to be pointed out that upon the initial interview HANNING said to the best
of his recollection he was recruited in 1947 or 1948 and during this time
the only KLan in existence was affiliated with, the Association of Georgia
KLans. However, in a signed statement obtained from MANNING on March 10#
1952# he stated it was in 1945 when he was affiliated with the KLan and
during this period the only known KLan was chartered, under the Florida State
Ku KLux KLan. ‘ ■

►

MANNING advised he had filled out an application and paid a $10. OQ
initiation fee to join what the called the West Orange Branch of the Ku
KLux KLan. He claimed he had attended only three meetings of the ICLan and
at none of these meetings was he ever officially taken into membership*

On February 18# 1952# Civil Service Clerk at

the Orlando Air Force Base# Orlando# Florida# made available the personnel
file of SIMON SMITH MANNING which reflected he resigned of his own volition
on February 4# 1952# his last work day at the Air Force Base being Febru-
ary 8# 1952. HLs separation for indicated he resigned his pocition to
^obtain a better job outside government work”.

SIMON SMITH MANNING gave the following voluntary s igned state-
ment car M arch 10# 1952# to Special Agents FRANK F. MEECH and | |

I at his residence in Flagler Gounty# Bunnell# Florida.

rt 'V -

TEM: egh
44-270

t p ■>

\ \

"Bunnell, Fla.

Flagler County
March 10, 1952

”1, SIMON SMITH MANNING make the following voluntary'

statement to TOBIAS E* MATTHEWS and FRANK F. MEECH who have

■#

identified themselves to me to be Special Agents of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation. No threats or promises
have been made to me to get me to make this statement . I
realize I do not have to make a statement and any statement
I make can be used against me in a court of law. I have
been advised I am' entitled to have an attorney.

”1 was first employed at the Orlando Air Base oh May

5, 19.43 and worked there until Oct. 1949. I applied for re-
employment in January, 1951 and recall signing the applica-
tion for federal employment — appointment affidavit. To
the best of my recollection the form' was filled out by a woman
stenographer in the office at the air base. I recall her ask-
ing me if I belonged to an organization that would overthrow
the government . I told her I did not nor had never been.

"The same stenographer asked me if I had been convicted
of a crime by the state or the federal government, and I told
her no. I knew at that time that I had been convicted of
grand larceny in Orange County and in the Orange County Court.

I thought this court was different from the state and federal
court and that is why I didn*t tell her about my conviotion '
in the Orange County Court.

’’Concerning my connection with the Ku KLux ELan I wish
to say that in 1945 as well as I can recall I signed an ap-
plication that was brought to, me fcy EARL BROOKLYN . I gave him
ten dollars and attended two or three meetings. I ’was never
sworn in, nor told the secrets nor given the oath.

”1 have read the above statement of this page and two other
pages and pub ny initials on each page The statement is true
to the best of my knowledge

”/s/ SIMON SMITH MANNING

’Witnessed

/s / FRANK F. MEECH Spec .Agt. FBI 3 Ao/52

/s/I ~| Special Agent F.B.I. 3/10/52”

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~ 88 -

uip 4 . it. y..

EESregh
rn 44-270

b7C

The following investigation -was conducted by Special Agents
laid ROBERT T. NISOHWITZ on March 11, 1952, at Winter Park, Florida

BASIS: Confidential Informants T-5 and T

bTD

interviewed concerning KLan activities

^ _

* 4

in connection -with instant bombing and .inform-
tion concerning suspects BROOKLYN, BELVIN and others.

•JB?*

Informant T-5, of known reliability, ,

in about 1945 or 1946 one f

in Orland o

[ ■as

Exalted Cyclops he resigned and ceased to affiliate himself with the Klan
or its activities.

le Exalted Cyclops of the Association of Georgia KLa
was then known as the Century Club*- During the tim

b7C

b7D

T.-5 stated that I |a Klansman in the Winter

rh-ir-i ng the last war worked for a wholesale grocery com
pany and was caught embezzling funds, at which time he was fired. Since

Winter

was Ex-

alted Cyclops of the Association of Georgia Klans KLavem in Orlando and
around 1947 or 1948 was head of the KLokann Committee of the same organi-
zation. T-5 said ] | is one of the 'hottest” ‘members of the orgahisat:

at present and that he is capable of doing anything along terrorist lines
He expressed the opinion that I I has been responsible for most of the

cross burning activities of the Klan in the Winter Park- Orlando area in
recent years. Based on this opinion, informant stated he believe q

KLokann Committee of the Sou
ist a member of the committee

Committee

hot".

He advised that[

was at one time on the KLokann

along wjthj

and is considered "red

vised

would do anything

,han| | He ad-

;» He stated if the

- 89 -

EES:egh
M 44-270

Klan had any pant in instant b
■was in on it. In reference to
anything”.

•was his opinion that |

T-5 repeatedly stated ”he will do

friend of

Southern Knights and is a good

| |were referred to by T-5 as be-

ing capable of doing ary sort of terrorist act.

JOE N, COX is still a member of the Klan and although he is an
old man T-5 believes he may know something about the activities of the
Klan in and around the Winter Parlc-Orlando area.

. EARL J. BROOKLYN is described as capable of any terrorist act and
a mean individual.

JAMES B. JOHNSON was head of the KLokann Committee at one time
and, according to T-5* if he is given one drink he, too* would be capable
of any terrorist act. He said JOHNSON has gotten into difficulties on the
east coast of Florida for beating two young boys.

did not
sense.

TILLMAN H. BELVIN was very active in the Klan in the past. T-5
know of his recent activities but stated he does not have good

is one of the old-time members of the Florida

Klan and it is notkruown whether he is presently active in the Klan.

KLansman, as is

of the Criminal Court* Orlando* is a
of Winter Park.

I | of Winter Park* is a KLansman.

regard to | I T-5 "stated he recalled an incident wherein a former

Baptist minister in the city of Winter iWk had allowed the children of
the colored janitor of the ch tarch 'to attend 4 church services along w ith
the whi te children. | | reportedly expressed the desire to have !

I burn a cross in front of the minis ter's hom e. Informant stated*
however* that this was never done because I " expressed this desire

in the pr esence of Chief of PoIice T [ who severely rebuked

end told him he would not allow such activities in Winter Park.

- 90 -

*>»

EEScegh

b7C

b7D

t-6,

Florida ^ and presently a

cerning individuals brought to

I furnished the following information con
Trig attention in the course of the inter-

view:

believed to be a member of the Southern

Knights of the Ku KLux KLan.

Presently Exalted Cyclops of KLavern 348, Asso

elation of Geor,

known to informant only by sight

^ [the KLokann

during calender year 1951? probably also for 19;

\ *

KLavern 348.

Committee , KLavern 34 8*

EARL

any

KLans

presently associated

with KLavern 348.

.JAMES B
of Georgia KLans.

presently a member of KLavern 348s Association

unknown to informant.

TILLMAN H. BELV3M: believed not actively

) at the present time and for several years

with any

present member of KLavern 348.

The informant was questioned concerning other individuals whose
names have come up in the course of instanc investigation as being con-
nected with one of the various KLans in' and around Orange County. Concern-
ing these individuals T-6 stated he either did not know them or knew them
only by sight and was not acquainted with their KLan .connections, if ary.

- 91 -

RES:egh
MM 44-270

T-6 stated he could think of no one in the Association of Georgia
Klans who would be capable of bombing the MOORE house* He also stated he
was not familiar with the membership of the Southern Knights of the Ku KLux
KLan.

Informant stated he had never seen any floor plans of victim
MDOEEfs home and MOORE was never* to his knowledge, discussed at any of the
meetings or by any members during or after meetings*

- 92 -

Avenue .

North Orange Avenue#

Avenue .

Fort Gatlin Hotel, 545 North Orange

Jefferson Court Hotel, 140

San Juan Hotel, 32 North Orange

Lamar Hotel, 409 West Central Avenue

Orange Avenue#

Orange Court 'Hotel, 650

94 -

PLS ; egh

m kk-mo

e following' investigation was conducted by Special Agent
on March 18, 1952, 'at Orlando, Florida*

BASIS : |

Association of Geor'gia KLans, indicted on Febru™
ary 27, 1952, for bombing a negro house at At™
lanta, Georgia, advised Agents in Atlanta he made
3 trips to Florida in 1951? however, he did not visit
Orlando although his name appeared in a newspaper re™
lease as having attended an Orlando Klan meeting on
August. 19, 1951, which he was unable to attend* .

I |. Library of Orlando s only

daily newspapers, the Orlando Morning Sentinel and Orlando Evening Star,
searched the morg ue indices of the papers but were unable to locate the name

or any name similar thereto as pertaining to Klan activities

AH aiorgue clippings on the Ku KLux Klan, BILL HENDRIX and I |

coveri ng a period fro m September, 1949 to the present were reviewed
but +- 1 * 3 name | was not mentioned in any article pertaining to

Klein activities . Microfilm records of ■ newspa pers for the en tire month of
August, 1951 were reviewed | however, the namef |did not appear

in any news article for this period* : *

The hotel registers of the leading O rlando
for the entire year of 1951? however, the name|
pear on ary of these registers*

hotels

ere reviewed
did not ap™ ,

contacted;

The following individuals representing various Orlando Hotels were

Angebilt Hotel, 37 North Orange Avenue

Eola Plaza, 431 East Central Avenue

- 93 -

BESregh

MM44-270

b7C

The following investigation was conducted by Special Agents |

and EGBERT T» NISGHWITZ on March. 11, 1952, at Winter Park, Florid^.

BASIS: K», G^%ENCHER reported to have been the
organizer of *the Winter Garden ELan and might have
knowledge of terrorist activities, of suspects
BRC.OKHN, BELVIN and others.

Male contacting Confidential Informant T~5, of known reliabil-
ity, concerning individuals connected with t^Jiinter Park section of the
Ku ELux KLan, it was learned that WILLIAM Oo^^fflCHER who resides in Winter
Park is now an old man, senile and mentally/ unstable .

In view of this information, no further attempt was made to in-
terview BENCHER.

RES/RTH : egh
M 44-270

■b(:

following investigation ’was conducted by Special Agents
“land ROBERT T. NIS0HWHZ on March 10, 1952, at Apopka

BASIS: | | Interviewed for any

information he might have of KLan activities or of
suspects BROOKLY N and BELTOJ a nd to ascertain if b
is a relative of I I Miami Klansman.

•SH5#

■was interviewed at

located on the c omer o:
the interview ! s tated

KLan. He stated he had bee n
■He was f irst approached “bv^

the son-in-law of]

present time a member of the

During the intervi

mer of| | At the time ox

ated he has not been and is not now a member of. any

d to join the Klan about a year a
and a short time later b y !
e mentioned that! I is at the

and

desirous of being of any possible assistance in instant investigation. He
noted, however, that his sympathies did not lie with the KLan and that he ’
had therefore steadfastly refused to have anything to do with it at any
time. It was his opinion that easily 15 % of the male population of ^Apopka
ms connected with the KLan in one way or another. It was his opinion

| | of Apopka,

•i-ct TClansm an in Apopka. v olunteered the opinion that

| actually controls the policies of the KLan in Apopka and puts the
"final stamp of approval or disapproval on any of its actions.

He was questioned concerning certain individuals who have been

determined to be connected with the KLan in and around Apopka*' Included

in this group were EARL J. BROOKLYN, SSHIiMAN H. BELKIN , JAMES B. JOHNSON,

I stated he was not acquainted

with any of these individuals. Concerning other individuals mentioned he
stated he either did not know them, or' knew them only as persons livi ng in
Apopka a nd knew nothing about their activities with the exception of| I

I whom he described as one of the ”KKK gang”. He also mentioned that
I was another individual who associated with the persons he con-
sidered connected with the KLan in Apopka.

r i

RES/E0J:egh
MM k 4-270

b7C

of individuals in Apopka
He stated he moved there
up in business.

d he is not "too -well acquainted -with the names
as he has been in Apopka only about five years,
from Miami about five years ago and set himself

' In answer to the

a Miami Oarsman, E
•elatives in Miami.

esti on as to whether he was related to|

Istated he knows no one by that name and

He stated he was not acquainted with the details of any atroc&t:
that had nonirr yed in and a-rcnpr id Apopka' but beHeved l I who works

at Plymouth in i 1 groves and lives in Apopka on the main high-

way opposite the C V Ranch might be able to furnish information about the

KLan. has never been a Klansman but is cognizant of activities in

and around the community.

97 -

TEM; egh b 6

MM 44-270 b7c

The follo wing investigation ms conducted by Special Agent

[on February 5 j> 1952? at Pensacola? Florida.

BASIS; I I stated l .

* ms well acquainted with victims and night have

information concerning instant case*

•SKBf

✓

By letter dated March 7# 1952? the Mobile Office furnished the
following information*

Florida? advise, d he had met HARRY T* MOORE at an NAACP conference in Raleigh?
North Carolina? in about 1946 and had met him about every six months there-
after at conferences and conventions? and often stayed with him in the same-
room at hotels. He had met HARRIETT MOORE in Jacksonville? Florida? in
December? 1951 when they planned to raise money for the defense of colored
people in certain trials*

He stated MOORE stayed at his home when he came to Pensacola
to raise funds for NAACP work about October? 1951? and at that time MOORE
told him he ms threatened for taking too much interest in the Groveland
Rape Case and was afraid to travel in the daytime.* MO ORE did no t tell him
when? where or who threatened him nor how it ms done . | l added that

MOORE also said he did not want to go back to Lake County to do any work
but did not state that the threat came from anyone in Lake County*

i « * i

[considered MOORE ? s c loses friends to bel I

\ Tampa? Florida? and ] [ Progressive

Voters League, St. Petersburg? FloridaT T I stated MOORE had a very,

good reputation gl i over Florida? that he ms not radical? and that he did
not cross people. He knew of no- dissension in the NAACP against MOORE ex-
cept that at the Tampa convention in November? 1950? MOORE ms criticized
for not rendering a satisfactory annual financial report. He stated MOORE
later presented a satisfactory report*

(

- 98 -

.ji ***■'-'

{

•V4

TEMsegh
MM 44-270

b7C

| knew of no enemies of HARHT T. or HARRIETT MOORE. He

stated he believed their deaths were caused from their having taken too
active a part in the Groveland case. He stated he knew MOORE as a fear-
less man and straight-forward speaker until he visited him in Pensacola
in October, 1951, at which time he acted as though he were afraid to speak
mid told him he was afraid to travel in the daytime.

♦

i :

: i

HWS : egh
MM A4-270

following investigation was conducted
on March 19 * 1952s at- Leesburg* Flori

BASIS :| | colored* acquaintance c. p

victim MOORE* interviewed to ascertain if he -yuan
fu; aish any information relative instant investigation.

V »

Lake County Training School, advised he attended

the Bethune-Cookman School at Daytona Beach in the summer of 1951 with »
victim , MOO RE a taking el ementary education. He stated he and MOORE, as
well as one | | who presently teaches science at the Campbell Street

School* in Daytona Beach* had numerous conversations together relative the
Lake County case for which MOORE was apparently interested i n raising m oney
for the defense of the subjects of that case. MOORE advis edT Ihe

was to hold a rally or meeting down south -which I Ibelieved was to-

be h eld at West Palm Beach. MOORE requested| |to go with him; ^how-
ever J | advised he did not and MOORE suggested t hey hold a similar

rally at Leesburg in an effort to raise funds* whereupon | ^ I advised ^

he did not think the same advisable because of th e strong feeling which still
existed in Lake County over the case j [ suggested to MOORE that

possibly it would be more desirable to raise funds by other means* such as
ball games* to' which MOORE agreed; however * these never materialized.

He c

• He stated that on one occasion when| | was present MOORE

indicated. there was at that time a big case he was working on; however*

l said MOORE furnished no details concerning the case or the names
of any parties involved but indicated it was north of Daytona Beach and

|had the impression the case had its origin at Madison, Florida.^
He could not recan what gave him this impression nor does he recan MOORE
specifically mentioning Madison* Florida* He added that he knew MOORE did
go to Jacksonville, Florida, frcm Daytona Beach shortly thereafter but he

did not know the nature of the trip.

contends he has not discussed the aneged case with
anyone subsequent to the conversation with MOORE nor had he heard that any-
one from Madison County had been in Mims inquiring as to the whereabouts
of MOORE.

- 100 -

•s-

RTN:egh

MM 44**270

b7C

The fo llowini
T. mSCHMUZ and I
Florida .

investigat ion was conducted by Special Agents ROBERT

Ion March 14# 1952# at Winter Gardens

BASIS: |_

crews # Winter Garden 1
interviewed concemin,
of tractor drivers#

| of fertiliser

itrus Growers Cooperative,

advised he had

been a member of the Winter Garden ItLavern of the Association of Georgia
Elans © He stated he is not now a member and advised when he was a member
he was not as active as he would have liked to be* He said any decent per-
son should want to belong to the Elan if the Elan i$ operated properly and
by its laws* He felt it is a good organisation which collects money for
the needy* sen ds flowers to the sick or deceased and gets out the vote in
election time* |said that to his knowledge there is no man or group

of men in the Winter Garden Elavern cf violent nature* He knows of no one
who would indulge in beatings or killings# However* he did say he was
not familiar with every member and admitted there could -be some undesirabl€
in the organisation* He stated it was the duty of the KLokann Committee
to screen me mb ers before they are admitted and get rid of undesirable peo~
pie and he assumed while he was an active member the commxttee was carry-
ing out its duties and therefore undesirables would be at a manimum*

He relied on his oath to the Elan and stated he was wi lli ng to
be of assistance to the Bureau but did not wish to violate his Elan oath
by naming KLan members* However * he stated if he thought^ any member* of th
Elan were connected with instant bombing he would not hesitate to turn him

over to the law.

men asked if he knew HARES' MOORE J | said he did* that m

was a grove-tender for the Winter Garden Citrus Growers Coope rative} w hen
advised that HAEHT T* MOORE was the victim of instant bombing l | ap-
peared surprised and stated he had never heard of any other HARRY* MOORE e
cept the one who worked for his company * He stated he never heard ©x any

- 102 -

RTN : egh

MM 44-270

b7C

conferences or discussions on the NAACP or of HARRY T. MOORE. He advised
that if someone had mentioned HARRY MOORE at all he -would have immediately
thought of the grove-tender and not of the victim.

I denied ever seeing any floor plans or maps displayed at
any meetings he had attended and had never heard any fellow members mention
same*

He beli eves tha t
He knows I

He advised he knew EARL BROOKLYN only by sight.

■works for some concrete company around Orlando,
but has no information concerning him. He did not know TILLMAN
He stated he had seen J. B. in Winter Gar-

I is a member of

den selling appliances. He advased that

his fertilizing crew and is a good worker who never to| | knowledge

has been in any trouble except one time when he was arrested for driving
a truck without a license. He knew of no activities in which
involved that were outside the law

for twentyfive years and
the past fifteen years. He state

stated he has known!

a close friend and associate for
] enjoys a very good reputation,
is a church-going man and is not known to be a violent person. In fact,
he is a reliable fellow who goes out of his way to help the needy people
in and around Winter Garden and is quick to offer his services as a mech-
anic or carpenter to anyone who ma.v need them. * He advised he has never

heard anything derogatory about
class citizen.

and considers . him to be a first

| | advised he would not condone any type of brutality or

activity outside the law and felt the perpetrators of instant bombing should
be brought to justice, regardless of their affiliation with any organiza-
tion including the KLan. He stated he would furnish to the FBI ary informa-
tion coming to his attention regarding this case.

- 103 -

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RESie^i

MM 44-270

b7C

Florida*

following investigation was conducted by Special Agents
£T T. N3SCHWITZ on March 13, 1952, at Mint- or Garden

BASIS: Dr. B. EL LAWSON interviewed for ary in-

formation he may have concerning terrorist activities
in the Winter Garden area.

Dr.. B. H. LAWSON stated he is not and has never been a member
of any KLan, either in Winter Garden or elsewhere . He stated he has been
a practicing physician in the city of Winter Garden for more than twentyfive
years. Daring that time he has never knowingly been acquainted with ary
KLangman although he readily admitted persons known to him may be KLansmen*

He recalled an incident about fifteen years ago when a colored
man was severely beaten and subsequently treated by him. He stated he
was unable to recall at this time the man*s name and could not recall
ary of the circumstances surrounding the beating. At the time he treated
the man he was not aware that he had been beaten, thinking he might have
been involved in a street brawl and so received his injuries. He recalled ‘
reading in the newspaper several days later that this individual had been
beaten by Klan members. His knowledge of this incident is very sketchy
and he has no record of if.

Dr. LAW50N stated he was unable to furnish any additipnal in-
formation of pertinence to instant investigation and stated he had heard
no talk concerning the bombing of MOORE *s house other than that which ap
peared in the press.-.

1 rt

TEMtegh

44-270

b7C

INDEX

ft** * ft ft ft ft * ft 4

ft ft ft ft ft «>* ft

ftftft ftr****

% * ♦

» * • • C C O O -G

* ft ♦ *

£> ft * «

AUTOMOBILES

1936 Ford (formerly owned hv

1946 Ford! I

sold to

ft ft

1949 Chevrolet pick-up truck (o wned by
1949 Oldsmobile sedan (owned by

in 1950) , .

J * ♦ t #

1950 Henry J , bronze-maroon, 1952 Fla, tag I
1950 blue Mercury sedan ( owned by I
1950 Mercury dark green sedan( owned by

T fl n “i ■ 1. 1 ^ /

58
50

60
60

74
60

j 60

Model A Ford, yellow with orange ' fenders" ‘l952 Fla. tag I — ** * * ’| 7/,

^? J “ (xWL * daric C0l0r ••••••**.. 1 ■ 82

D . TT ® blue bod y> yellow top pick-up truck (owned by
BALLARD. WALTER, 1

1951 Mercury light green 2-door (owned byT

A ^*1*1 » 1 1 « L

ft * ♦ * • • «*##*

# • ft * • • ft •' 4-4 ft ft • * « • 4 #

ft*ft ftft*ft******** * g

♦*'*‘4**4 44# ft*

ft ft 4 • • *

#4 ft ft * *

* ♦••♦***
ft 4

ft ft

• -4

ft ft

ft %

BELTON* TILLMAN HOLLEY "CURLY"

ft ft ft ft » ft ft ft ft ft

4 4ft * ft ftfti' t ft ft # *

ft %

BOGAR, WILLIAM "BILL"

59
23
68

♦65-68, 70

49, 50

• 105
. 105

5, 7-9, H, 13, 14, 16-18, 20, 21, 24-26,
30 , 32-35, 39, 58, 60, 89-91, 95, 96, 103

85, 86

♦ . 38

* ♦ 54

. 93

*'* *■*'*•♦♦**♦*♦♦ . 3—6 , 17 , 18 , 30

...... . * 46 , 47

*■ * • * • ♦. .»♦ * 25-27, 54, 60, 75, 76, 90

♦ ft ft «. ft 4 '« 4 • ft 4 4. 4 4 4 * ft 4 • 58, 59

**•&•,**«**,»** 58-62, 64

* * *ftftft*44#’ftftft •♦*ftft,ft v ft 0 58

••ftftft * ft ft « ft ****** , ft • 4 ♦ * 24

ftftftftftftftft * « * • ft -*♦ • ft* • ft* 4

4 «f » ft * ««••*•• *** ♦ ft ft ft ft 72

********* ftftftft ft ft
* * ft ft ft ft ft«ftiftft * 4 * *

♦ 4 >ft o « ft ft ft # ft ft ft- ft * ft « *

ft ft * * ft * • • •- * * * ♦ ♦ ♦ .

♦ ft ft

r ft ft ♦

ft ft! ft ♦

ft 4

- 106 -

TEM:egh
MM 44-270

* o

a o

. 98

BROOKLYN, EARL J. ...... 1, 3-8 , 11, 14, 16-13, 20, 21, 23-25,

27-29 , 31-35 , 39 , 48, 53, 60', 66', 70-72,’ 88-91; 96’, 103
............ 4r7> 23- 24 £8, 91, '95., 103

BROOKLYN, ERNEST JAMES ...... .......

« « O • 4 • ♦ ♦

• ■*

* 0 * •

• *

o A e o

• 0 0 0 9

6 4 0 6 6

• # * O C

& 9

BRYANT , MOSE

a
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LAST NAME UNKNOWN

DR. B. H

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MANN, MRS. CALVIN C ANNIE

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WELCH. WILLIE

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b7C

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ADMINISTMTIVE PAGE

T-l ii

T~2 is

Florida.

T-3 is
T~4 is

Garden, Florida.

Apopka, Florida

Post Office, Winter Garden

Winter Garden, Florida

U. S. Post Office, Winter

T-5 is |

who requested that his name remain confidential

Winter Park, Florida,

, __ Winter Park, Florida ]

l who was interviewed at the recommendation
and requested that his identity be kept confidential.

■M

T-7 is| | an

informant of the Mobile Office, who requested that his identity be kept
confidential ,

T-8 is | ^

who requested that his identity remain confidential.

Cocoa, Florida

T-9 is

eport dated February 12, 1952.

One copy of this report is designated for the New York Office for
■information inasmuch as that Office, is maintaining liaison with the National
Headquarters of the NAACP in New York City.

- 114 -

TEMjegh
M 44-270

LEADS

blC

} Vy

SAVANNAH OFFICE

ITJ

AT AUGUSTA. GEORGIA

1 interview'

close friend of

who was beaten by unknown i ndividuals on April 29 s 1950? for

d of other terrorist

his knowledge of the beating of

activities in the Winter Garden? Florida? area®
reported as a former Klansman in the Winter Garden area®

d Klan
has' been

MIAMI OFFICE

AT APOPKA® FLORIDA

i,i

Will interview I I who resides on the Orlando-Apopka High-
way opposite the C V Ranch and wbrksjat Plymouth in the l p roves

for any information he may have regarding Klan activities in and around
Apopka* It is noted he is not alleged to be a Klansman but to be cognizant
of community affairs . .

Will interview | _|at Campbe ll Street High Sc hool?

in reference to the alleged conversation with MOORE and ! I at

the Bethune-Cookman College in the summer of 1951? a t which time MOORE in-
dicated he was working on a big case north of there ® I l had the

impression the case had its origin in Madison? F3.orida? however? he does
not know the reason he gained such an impression®)

Will inbervie

inasmuch as automobiles bearing licenses issued to them were observed at
the MOORE funeral®

Will ascertain the identity of the individual who rented a car
bearing license number SE-25 ? Florida 1951s from the Second Avenue Cab Oom
pany on January 1? 1952? inasmuch as that car was observed at victim’s
funeral? and set out a lead to have that individual interviewed.

- 115 -

„4

* Ji

TEMs egh
Ml 2(4-270

b7C

AT DE LAND , FLORIDA

►a 1 wj-m

Will locate and interview!

DeLand colored school

|, 219 East Church Street, for information concerning t he con
versation he had with victim? s daughter and
Bethune-Cookoan College .

AT LAKELAND. FLORIDA

Will interview

J. BROOKLYN, for any information she may have regarding his
and possible implication in instant matter.

AT MARTIN, FLORIDA

suspect EARL
Klan activities

L Will interview L

r gA -tnart titM - fc q mpn n

regarding the alleged threat to

n-jMartin in. connection with a letter written
Marion Hardware Company. Will question him

regarding his knowledge of Klan activities in and around Martin.

AT MIAMI, FLORIDA

determine the identity of the owners of license numbers

lall 1951 Florida. These automobiles

funeral of HARRY

MOORE

AT NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FLORIDA

1 mm <n im < m n hi <ihi h % 1 ■ 1 11 n

Will interview

let, 1951 Florida tag

was observed at victim* s funeral

] whose 1950 Chevro

AT OCOEE, FLORIDA

Will interview

of suspect EARL BROOKLYN, as well as

Jof BROOKLYN, who is reported to be residing with thel

"frit a r^n _ _ _ J * ' _

regard

ing BR00KLYN*s Klan activities

of suspect

Will interview!

BROOKLYN, for any information she may have regarding his Klan activities
and possible implication in instant matter.

- 116 -

♦

TEMj egh
MM 44-270

jjicerviewj |of suspect

BROOKLYN? .for any information she may have regarding his Klan activities
and possible implication in instant mattero

AT ORLANDO. FLORI

Will exhibit photograph off
and question them aa to -whether or no-
area? particularly in 1951 <■

ElCCi

| to Klan informants

has ever been in the Orlando

Will interview! of the

Super Concrete Company? rellow employee of BROOKLYN, allegedly approached
by BROOKLYN to join the Klan for any information he may have regarding
BROOKLYN* s character and his knowledge of Klan activities -with particular
emphasis on its connection with instant case®

Will reinterview JOE N® COX for information in his possession
concerning the Klan membership of the Orlando Association of Georgia Klan

He was reportedly secretary as recently as one year ago and a present
member*

AT SEBRING, FLORIDA

Will interview LUTHER COLEMAN? 300 Lemon Street? concerning the
beating he received from a group of white men outside the bank at Winter
Garden? Florida? on February 6? 1951«

AT STUART, FLORIDA

Will interview

who was reportedly beaten by the Klan at Wint er Garden
of the beating and the present whereabouts of|

for he:

AT TAMPA, FLORIDA

Will interview! | reported by

to be president of the State NAACP? and a very close
any knowledge he_ma 2 L_have regarding instant case and
aeainst MOOREo full name and address mav be .

|of Pensacola

friend of MOORE? for
any threats made
scertained through
of the Florida Con-

vention?

- 117 -

TEM* egh

MM 44=270

b7C

AT TITUSVILLE. FLORIDA

f l DP S t

; ■ar

AT WINTER GARDEN, FLORIDA

Will reinterview Chief of Police MAXNARD MANN for any information
he may have regarding the beatings of LUTHER COLEMAN, reason for the- attack
and the persons responsible.

Will interview!

immediately after his beating

Will interview

who reportedly treated LUTHER COLEMAN

-l

who rooms over the Robinson * s Big

Shop concerning the LUTHER COLEMAN incident and the inquiry allegedly made
by some white men concerning COLEMAN.

Will interview

at the Lake View High

School, and his wife concerning the COLEMAN beating to which they were
reportedly witnesses.

Will interview!
whereabouts of l

concerning the present

and her present soldier husband and set out

appropriate lead to have her interviewed concerning the beating she re
ceived at the hands of KLansmen in 1944

ESI

Report of SA

Miami , 3-11-52

Numerous telephone calls from the Bureau to Miami
and numerous teletypes and letters between Miami
and the Bureau as well as Miami and auxiliary offices.

- 118 -

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